Cleary College vs. SAU

Should I go to Cleary University or Spring Arbor University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Cleary College or SAU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Cleary University vs. Spring Arbor University comparison
Cleary University Spring Arbor University College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Cleary College SAU
Location Howell, MI Spring Arbor, MI
Setting Midsize City Small Suburban
Enrollment 891 2,396
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #501
Religious Affiliation - Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website cleary.edu arbor.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Cleary College SAU
Tuition (In State) $22,279 $31,020
Tuition (Out of State) $22,279 $31,020
Room & Board $14,200 $10,652
Avg Net Price $27,209 $22,375
Avg Grant Aid $8,447 $20,677
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 99%

Admission

 Cleary College SAU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 810 2,312
Admitted 547 1,094
Acceptance Rate 67.5%Open 47.3%
Enrolled % 18.8%Open 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.17 3.61
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 18/19 20/26
SAT Range 950/1170 970/1135
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

 Cleary College SAU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (79%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (16%)
  • Health Professions (5%)
  • Business (31%)
  • Work and Family Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Human Services (9%)

Outcomes

 Cleary College SAU
Graduation Rate 59% 56%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,900 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $30,227 $24,043
Median Loan Payment $312 $248

Diversity

 Cleary College SAU
% Men 59% 23%
% Women 41% 77%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 77%
% Black 5% 10%
% Hispanic 3% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 9% 5%

Students

 Cleary College SAU
% In-State 82% 83%
% Out-of-State 12% 13%

Campus

 Cleary College SAU
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Spring Arbor University is larger than than Cleary College based on total student enrollment (2,396 students vs. 891 students)

Cleary College vs. SAU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleary College or SAU?

  • Spring Arbor University is 39.2% more expensive to attend than Cleary College for in-state tuition ($31,020.00 vs. $22,279.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 39.2% higher at SAU than Cleary University ($31,020.00 vs. $22,279.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Spring Arbor University than Cleary College ($22,375 vs. $27,209)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Spring Arbor University are 33.3% lower than costs at Cleary University ($10,652 vs. $14,200)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Spring Arbor University than Cleary University (99% vs. 86%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Spring Arbor University students is 144.8% larger than aid received Cleary University ($20,677 vs. $8,447)

Cleary College vs. SAU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleary College or SAU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SAU or Cleary College .

  • The average SAT score at Spring Arbor University (1073) is 123 points higher than at Cleary College (950)
  • Incoming SAU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Cleary College (20)
  • Accepted freshman SAU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Cleary College (3.17)
  • Cleary College has a higher acceptance rate (67.5%) than SAU (47.3%)

Cleary College vs. SAU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Cleary College or SAU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SAU and Cleary College.

  • The graduation rate at Cleary College is higher than Spring Arbor University (59% vs. 56%)
  • Graduates from Cleary University earn on average $12,300 more per year than SAU graduates after ten years. ($54,900 vs. $42,600)
  • Spring Arbor University students graduate with a $6,184 lower median federal student loan debt than Cleary College graduates. ($24,043 vs. $30,227)
  • SAU graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than Cleary College graduates. ($248 vs. $312)
  • More SAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleary College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/