Cleary University
Howell, MI 48843
About Cleary University
Cleary University is a private research university in Howell, Michigan, enrolling about 738 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 67.54% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $54,186 among students who received federal aid.
Key findings
- Cleary University charges 11% below the national private non-profit median tuition ($26,102).
- Versus the Michigan median, sticker tuition is 71% above.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 41.46%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $54,186.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Cleary University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 512% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleary University | $26,102 | $22,143 | 1 |
| Private Non-profit (national median) | $29,325 | — | 1,444 |
| Michigan (state median) | $15,221 | $7,368 | 96 |
| Rural (locale median) | $14,160 | $18,700 | 1,649 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
Average net price is 15% below published tuition at Cleary University
Key findings
- Cleary University's average net price ($22,143) is 15% below published tuition ($26,102).
- Cleary University charges 11% below the national private non-profit median tuition ($26,102).
- Versus the Michigan median, sticker tuition is 71% above.
Cleary University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $26,102
Finding Cleary University charges 11% below the national private non-profit median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $26,102. That is 11% below the national private non-profit median ($29,325). Versus the Michigan median ($15,221), sticker tuition is 71% above. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 2.2×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to private non-profit and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Cleary University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Cleary University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Cleary University is $22,143.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $22,143 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $14,775 above the Michigan median net price. Versus rural campuses, net price runs $3,443 above the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway Cleary University’s published tuition substantially overstates typical undergraduate cost: average net price is about 15% lower after grants and scholarships.
Cleary University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Cleary University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
Annual tuition
$26,102
Avg. net price
$22,143
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $18,046 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $18,917 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,328 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $20,797 |
| $110,001+ | $27,372 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $104,408. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Cleary University is known for
Top program completions
- Business Administration and Management, General439
- Organizational Leadership181
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General17
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other11
- Accounting and Finance1
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 31% of admitted students enrolled.
- Midpoint ACT: 19
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Cleary University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Cleary University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Cleary University.
Campus
Location
Howell, MI
City / state
- ZIP
- 48843
- NCES locale
- Rural distant
Compared with Rural campuses nationally, net price is 18% above the median for Rural campuses ($18,700 median).
Control
Institution type
Private Non-profit
Control
- Region
- Great Lakes
- Carnegie
- Tribal Colleges and Universities
Size
Enrollment
738
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 1,103
- Graduate
- 235
- Full-time share
- 73%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$19,500
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 29.88%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Cleary University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Cleary University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Cleary University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $18,720 | $18,720 | $11,516 |
| 2014 | $19,200 | $19,200 | $8,705 |
| 2015 | $20,000 | $20,000 | $10,182 |
| 2016 | $17,600 | $17,600 | $12,246 |
| 2017 | $19,700 | $19,700 | $20,015 |
| 2018 | $20,550 | $20,550 | $18,299 |
| 2019 | $20,550 | $20,550 | $16,029 |
| 2020 | $22,230 | $22,230 | $18,457 |
| 2021 | $22,230 | $22,230 | $19,284 |
| 2022 | $23,629 | $23,629 | $19,316 |
| 2023 | $24,842 | $24,842 | $21,019 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Midpoint 19 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Cleary University reported total enrollment of about 738 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 61% male and 39% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (58.3%), Black or African American (23.6%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (6.5%). About 29.88% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 42.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
73.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Cleary University in 2024 is 738 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 1,103 students. Graduate enrollment is about 235 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
65.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
34.62% 100% Completion Time
41.46% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 34.62% of students graduating from Cleary University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 63% male / 37% female
- Organizational Leadership: 49% male / 51% female
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General: 18% male / 82% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Cleary University graduates earn a median of $54,186 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Cleary University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $54,186. Median federal loan debt: $19,500. Average net price used in cost models: $22,143.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Cleary University graduates report median earnings of $54,186 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Cleary University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 8 programs by IPEDS completions (9 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Cleary University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Cleary University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Cleary University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$1.3M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Michigan median 0.04× the median ($30.9M)
- Great Lakes median 0.04× the median ($31.8M)
- U.S. median 0.05× the median ($26.4M)
- Michigan median 0.11× the median ($13,320)
- Great Lakes median 0.09× the median ($16,690)
- U.S. median 0.12× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 4.4%
- Michigan median 59.7 pp below median (64.1%)
- Great Lakes median 53.6 pp below median (58.1%)
- U.S. median 53.5 pp below median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $4,499
- Michigan median 0.50× the median ($8,917)
- Great Lakes median 0.56× the median ($8,046)
- U.S. median 0.59× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $3,298
- Michigan median 0.46× the median ($7,240)
- Great Lakes median 0.43× the median ($7,690)
- U.S. median 0.45× the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Cleary University at a glance
Cleary University
Cleary University is a private non-profit institution in Howell, MI, classified as Tribal Colleges and Universities.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- Business Administration and Management, GeneralOrganizational LeadershipHuman Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian58.3%Black or African American23.6%Race/ethnicity unknown6.5%
- Opportunity College (2025)
- Higher access & higher earnings · Browse OCU directory
Schools near Cleary University
Other campuses in Howell, MI when available, plus nearby institutions in Michigan.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade D) within Michigan, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cleary University located?
Cleary University is located in Howell, MI.
What is Cleary University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Cleary University is 67.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 593 applicants and 295 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Cleary University's tuition?
Cleary University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $26,102 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $22,143 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Cleary University cost?
Reported tuition is $26,102 and average net price is $22,143 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,900 annually.
Why is Cleary University's net price so much lower than tuition?
At Cleary University, published tuition is $26,102 while average net price is $22,143—about 15% lower. Average net price subtracts grant and scholarship aid from cost of attendance for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid (College Scorecard). Institutional aid therefore compresses sticker price into a lower typical undergraduate cost signal. The campus average still masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average. EDsmart Data treats the sticker–net gap as an analytical finding, not advice about individual aid offers.
What explains Cleary University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($22,143), completion (41.5% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($54,186). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Cleary University?
Cleary University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 1,103 students, White (58.3%), Black or African American (23.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Cleary University?
About 42.3% of students at Cleary University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Cleary University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Cleary University reports midpoint ACT about 19.
What do graduates of Cleary University earn?
Median earnings are $55,077 six years after entry and $54,186 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Cleary University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 41.5% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Cleary University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.