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California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs Unitek College: which has better ROI?

Public, Pomona CA · vs · Private for-profit, Hayward CA

The verdict

Unitek College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,520 in 1.9 years versus 2 years at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, on median earnings of $87,877 vs $71,902 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCalifornia State Polytechnic University-PomonaUnitek College
Net price / yr$11,531$19,130
Total net cost$46,124$76,520
Median earnings, 10 yrs$71,902$87,877
Median debt$16,000$10,700
Payback2 yrs1.9 yrs
20-year net return$424,716$713,820

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Unitek College?

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, at $11,531 a year after aid versus $19,130 — a gap of $7,599 a year, or $30,396 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Unitek College graduates earn more?

Unitek College graduates report a median $87,877 ten years after entry, $15,975 more than the $71,902 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Unitek College?

Unitek College: its completers carry a median $10,700 in federal loans versus $16,000 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, a difference of $5,300. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

68% of students finish at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, against 63% at Unitek College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs Unitek College: frequently asked questions

Is California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Unitek College a better value?
Unitek College. It clears its $76,520 net cost in about 1.9 years versus 2 years at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, on median earnings of $87,877 vs $71,902 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Unitek College?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona: $11,531/yr net price after aid versus $19,130/yr at Unitek College — a difference of $7,599 a year, or about $30,396 over four years.
Do California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Unitek College graduates earn more?
Unitek College graduates earn a median $87,877 ten years after entry, versus $71,902 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona — a $15,975 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.