Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Fullerton vs Cal Poly Maritime Academy: which has better ROI?
Option A Fullerton, CA
California State University-Fullerton
- Net price / year
- $6,555
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,951
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Option B Vallejo, CA
Cal Poly Maritime Academy
- Net price / year
- $20,555
- Earnings, 10 years
- $94,784
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Cal Poly Maritime Academy has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,220 in 1.8 years versus 1.8 years at California State University-Fullerton, on median earnings of $94,784 vs $62,951 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Fullerton | Cal Poly Maritime Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,555 | $20,555 |
| Total net cost | $26,220 | $82,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,951 | $94,784 |
| Median debt | $13,750 | $24,965 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $265,600 | $846,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Fullerton or Cal Poly Maritime Academy?
California State University-Fullerton, at $6,555 a year after aid versus $20,555 — a gap of $14,000 a year, or $56,000 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do California State University-Fullerton or Cal Poly Maritime Academy graduates earn more?
Cal Poly Maritime Academy graduates report a median $94,784 ten years after entry, $31,833 more than the $62,951 at California State University-Fullerton. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Fullerton or Cal Poly Maritime Academy?
California State University-Fullerton: its completers carry a median $13,750 in federal loans versus $24,965 at Cal Poly Maritime Academy, a difference of $11,215. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at California State University-Fullerton, against 60% at Cal Poly Maritime Academy. 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.