Skip to content
CollegeRanker
Cleary University logo

Cleary University

Private nonprofit Howell, MI · Suburban · Great Lakes · 100% data
B Earnings B- Selectivity C+ Diversity
Graduation Rate
41% D+
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$54,186 B
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$22,143 D+
29% more than the typical college
Acceptance Rate
68% B-
Accessible to most qualified applicants
Earnings +33% vs avg
Graduation -29% vs avg
Net Price 29% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 12.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.0 over 20 years.

12.0× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $12.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $977,746.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Earnings 33% above the national college median.

  3. Graduation of 41% — 29% below the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $12.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Cleary University

Cleary University is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private Special-Focus Institution
Carnegie Class
Special Focus
Enrollment
738
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Business & Marketing

Why students choose Cleary University

Strength in Business & Marketing
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 49% overall
B
Earnings
$54,186 median
C
Value
2.4× net price
D+
Affordability
$22,143/yr net
D+
Graduation
41% graduate
B-
Selectivity
68% admit rate
C+
Diversity
0.60 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

Cleary University in Howell, MI, is a solid choice for students interested in business and marketing. With an acceptance rate of 68%, it welcomes a diverse range of learners. The focus here is on practical skills that prepare students for the workforce, particularly in areas like business management and marketing strategies.

After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $54,186 within ten years. This figure is encouraging as it reflects the potential for upward mobility in their careers. While the graduation rate is 41%, it's important to recognize that many students still find pathways to success in various fields, especially in business-related roles.

When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid sits at $22,143, with a median debt of $19,500. This makes Cleary relatively manageable for many students, especially those who thrive in a close-knit community and hands-on learning environment. Students who are motivated and focused on their career goals tend to do well here, leveraging the practical education to advance in their fields.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Cleary University is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Cleary University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Cleary University, located in Howell, Michigan, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.

Acceptance Rate
68%
Retention Rate
66%
ACT Midpoint
19
Full-Time Faculty
4%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$4,499
Student–Faculty Ratio
13:1
Diversity Index
0.60
First-Gen Students
42%
Applicants
810
Admitted
547

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cleary University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Cleary University is $26,102, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,143. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,046 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$26,102
Out-of-State
$26,102
Avg Net Price
$22,143
Median Debt
$19,500
Pell Grant Rate
30%
Federal Loan Rate
54%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$18,046
Family Income $30K–$48K
$18,917
Family Income $48K–$75K
$15,328
Family Income $110K+
$27,372

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Cleary University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Cleary University earn a median of $54,186, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$55,077
8 Years
$57,677
10 Years
$54,186
Debt-to-Earnings
0.36x
Earning > $25K
75%

Earnings Trajectory

$55,077 6yr $57,677 8yr $54,186 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (1)
4%
100% (1)
4%
100% (1)
4%
100% (1)
4%

How Cleary Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation41%Earnings 10yr$54KNet Price$22KRetention66%Median Debt$20KPell Grant Rate30%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$18K$0-30K$19K$30-48K$15K$48-75K$27K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Cleary University Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Cleary University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,143/year ($88,572 total). Graduates earn $54,186 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,066,318 in total earnings — a net gain of $977,746 (12.0× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 41% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$88,572
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,066,318
Net Return
$977,746
ROI Multiple
12.0×
Cost Per Year
$22,143
Median Debt
$19,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
41%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Endowment
$1,304,291
Federal Grants
$503,478
Investment Income
$-69,486

Top Programs

The fields Cleary University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Cleary University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Cleary University, located in Howell, Michigan, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 68% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 19. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Cleary University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Cleary University is $26,102, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $22,143. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $18,046 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.

Is Cleary University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Cleary University earn a median of $54,186, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Cleary University.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

Free · 21 pages · 5,745 institutions · 100% federal data, no surveys