Cleary University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Howell, Michigan. It enrolls 738 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
52/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes17
Value40
Affordability41
Selectivity36
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 67.5%, Cleary University is moderately selective.
Acceptance Rate
67.5%
Moderate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyTest OptionalApplicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Cleary University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Getting more selective ↓
21.7 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Cleary University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $22,143 per year. That's in line with the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$22,143
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
30%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
54%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$26,102
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,900
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,900
Books & Supplies
$2,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$5,376
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,876
Total Cost of Attendance
$39,718
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$18,046
$30,001 – $48,000
$18,917
$48,001 – $75,000
$15,328
$75,001 – $110,000
$20,797
Over $110,000
$27,372
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,16710%percentile
$6,25025%percentile
$19,500Medianpercentile
$26,83275%percentile
$40,87590%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $12,355
↓ $7,145
No Pell $12,476
↓ $7,024
Dependent students $11,000
↓ $8,500
Independent students $14,533
↓ $4,967
Female students $14,696
↓ $4,804
Male students $11,000
↓ $8,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $5,991, less than completers ($19,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
42% of full-time students who enrolled at Cleary University graduate within six years, and 65% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
42%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
65%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Cleary University earn a median of $54,186 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$54,186
Earning > $25K
78%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$50,100
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$77,000
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$41,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$59,600
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$67,900
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $26,900, about 35% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
17.4 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Moderate. Only 68% of graduates are paying down principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Cleary University is home to 738 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 42% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
738
Part-Time
27%
First-Generation
42%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 58.3%430
Black 23.6%174
International 5.0%37
Hispanic 3.1%23
Asian 1.8%13
Other 1.8%13
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Cleary University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize SuburbHowell, Michigan
Housing
Partly residential190 beds available
Adult Learners
48%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Cleary University offers
a varied set of programs:
11 distinct programs across
1 major.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Cleary University is 21:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
21:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$8.9M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$47,250
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
5 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Associate Professors
5
100%
$47,250
Pros & Cons of Cleary University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Cleary University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Tight-knit, close community feel
Solid post-graduation earnings
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Above-average net price
Larger class sizes than typical
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Below-average completion rate
First-year retention is below typical
Best for:
Based on the data, Cleary University is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cleary University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Cleary University.
Is Cleary University hard to get into?
Admissions at Cleary University are moderately competitive. The acceptance rate is 67.5%, so most applicants who meet the academic minimums are admitted.
What is the acceptance rate at Cleary University?
Cleary University has an acceptance rate of 67.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Cleary University cost?
The average net price after aid at Cleary University is $22,143 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Cleary University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $54,186 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $22,143 per year. That's roughly 2.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Cleary University known for?
Cleary University is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Business Administration, Human Resources. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Cleary University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Cleary University are $54,186, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Cleary University accredited?
Yes. Cleary University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Cleary University?
Cleary University enrolls 738 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Cleary University?
Cleary University graduates 42% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Cleary University a public or private college?
Cleary University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Cleary University located?
Cleary University is located in Howell, Michigan.
What programs does Cleary University offer?
Cleary University offers 11 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Business Administration, Human Resources.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Cleary University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Cleary University is 21:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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