Cal Poly named best overall master’s-level university in the WestMaritime academy joins Cal Poly and earns top Western honors– Cal Poly has been named the best overall master’s-level university in the West for the third consecutive year, according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. The rankings also named the Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Vallejo the best public college in the West and second overall among public and private schools reviewed. The academy, now called the Cal Poly Maritime Academy and located on the Cal Poly Solano Campus, is integrating with Cal Poly. “We appreciate U.S. News’ recognition of Cal Poly as one of the nation’s finest universities for more than a generation,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. Within that category, Computer Engineering ranked first, Civil Engineering ranked second, and Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering both ranked second overall.