All schools
Cleary University logo
PrivateSuburban

Cleary University

Cleary College

Howell, Michigan 48843

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedTight-knitSuburban

Known for business — close-knit campus

Cleary University is a private suburban institution in Howell, Michigan. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 774 undergraduates with a 21:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

39% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $54,186 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,019.

Established
1883
Mascot
Clancy The Cougar
Type
Private university
Conference
National Association of

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

50%Acceptance
SAT Avg
774Students
21:1Student:Faculty
39%Grad Rate
$54,186Earnings 10yr
$21,019Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate49.8%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$24,842
Room & Board$12,800
Total Cost of Attendance$39,110
Average Net Price$21,019
Median Debt at Graduation$19,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$207

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$15,486
$30–48K$18,957
$48–75K$22,141
$75–110K$23,854
$110K+$23,955

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

56.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,469

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

5

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (29)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

64%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
774
Gender Split
40% / 60%
Women / Men
First Generation
42%
Pell Grant Recipients
27%

Race & Ethnicity

White 54%
Black 24%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 1%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate39.4%
Freshman Retention63.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$55,077
10 Years$54,186

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Cougars

Wrestling programWomenCrossCross countryGolf

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1933, the Cleary Family turned the physical assets of the college over to a Board of Trustees, establishing Cleary College as an independent, not-for-profit institution.
  • In 1938, Patrick Roger Cleary retired and his son, Owen Cleary, became president.
  • A branch college was opened in Livingston County outside of Howell, Michigan in 1979.
  • By 1982, the combined campuses served over one thousand students.
  • Cleary College purchased property at 3601 Plymouth Road in Ypsilanti's neighboring Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1998, and vacated its Ypsilanti campus the next year.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

93Average

Estimated from MI state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Detroitpop. 640K
46 mi(80 min)
Clevelandpop. 370K
135 mi(234 min)
Columbuspop. 900K
187 mi(324 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DTW Detroit37 mi
CLE Cleveland132 mi
CMH Columbus186 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA653 mi · ~18h 52m drive
New York, NY526 mi · ~15h 12m drive
Hartford, CT576 mi · ~16h 38m drive
Providence, RI640 mi · ~18h 29m drive
Albany, NY514 mi · ~14h 51m drive
Syracuse, NY393 mi · ~11h 21m drive
Rochester, NY320 mi · ~9h 15m drive
Buffalo, NY255 mi · ~7h 22m drive
Philadelphia, PA488 mi · ~14h 6m drive
Pittsburgh, PA250 mi · ~7h 13m drive
Harrisburg, PA396 mi · ~11h 26m drive
Newark, NJ517 mi · ~14h 56m drive
Washington, DC439 mi · ~12h 41m drive
Baltimore, MD442 mi · ~12h 46m drive
Atlanta, GA611 mi · ~17h 39m drive
Charlotte, NC534 mi · ~15h 26m drive
Raleigh, NC547 mi · ~15h 48m drive
Miami, FL1181 mi · ~34h 7m drive
Orlando, FL981 mi · ~28h 20m drive
Tampa, FL1014 mi · ~29h 18m drive
Nashville, TN470 mi · ~13h 35m drive
New Orleans, LA938 mi · ~27h 6m drive
Richmond, VA487 mi · ~14h 4m drive
Chicago, IL198 mi · ~5h 43m drive
Detroit, MI46 mi · ~1h 20m drive
Minneapolis, MN496 mi · ~14h 20m drive
St. Louis, MO430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Kansas City, MO608 mi · ~17h 34m drive
Indianapolis, IN228 mi · ~6h 35m drive
Columbus, OH187 mi · ~5h 24m drive
Cleveland, OH135 mi · ~3h 54m drive
Milwaukee, WI206 mi · ~5h 57m drive
Dallas, TX977 mi · ~28h 13m drive
Houston, TX1091 mi · ~31h 31m drive
Austin, TX1145 mi · ~33h 5m drive
San Antonio, TX1219 mi · ~35h 13m drive
Los Angeles, CA1939 mi · ~56h 1m drive
San Francisco, CA2043 mi · ~59h 1m drive
San Diego, CA1929 mi · ~55h 44m drive
Seattle, WA1887 mi · ~54h 31m drive
Portland, OR1918 mi · ~55h 25m drive
Denver, CO1113 mi · ~32h 9m drive
Phoenix, AZ1650 mi · ~47h 40m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1445 mi · ~41h 45m drive
Honolulu, HI4436 mi · ~128h 9m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Cleary University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications