Cleary University
Cleary University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Cleary University at a Glance
Cleary University is a private university focused on business education with its main campus in Livingston County, Michigan, United States. It also has an education center located in Detroit. Cleary University offers certificate, ABA, BBA, MS, and MBA programs.
1883
143 years old
—
$813,882
578
462 undergrad · 116 grad
Identity
Is Cleary University Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Cleary University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,186 — 1% above average — while paying $22,143/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 41% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Cleary University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Cleary University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #73 of 121 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Ursuline College | 53 | $16,164 | $56,878 |
| #3 | Kettering College | 51 | $21,650 | $67,492 |
| #4 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #5 | Coe College | 48 | $18,745 | $57,125 |
| #6 | Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | 47 | $21,863 | $65,071 |
| #73 | Cleary University | 25 | $22,143 | $54,186 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Cleary University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in MI.
Best Programs at Cleary University
The highest-earning program at Cleary University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $60,000/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Cleary University earns $60,000, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $60,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $26,600 in median debt vs. $26,600 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $22,143/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,000 | $60,000 | $26,600 |
Similar Colleges in MI
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Howell, MI
- Student Body
- 738 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $22,143
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,186
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500