Cleary College vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleary University in Howell, MI with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Cleary College based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 1,004 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleary University is located in Howell, MI (Midsize City setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Cleary University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleary University 18:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Cleary College vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleary College or WMU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Michigan University than Cleary College ($17,331 vs. $23,705).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 5.6% lower than at Cleary University ($12,174 vs. $12,900).
• Cleary University is 71.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WMU (about $10,850 more per year; $26,102.00 vs. $15,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.1% higher at Cleary College than at Western Michigan University (about $7,068 more per year; $26,102.00 vs. $19,034.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleary University than at Western Michigan University (99% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cleary University students is 46.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($16,150 vs. $11,048).

Cleary College vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleary College or WMU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WMU and Cleary College.

• Cleary University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 50 points higher than at Cleary College (1060).
• Incoming WMU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 18 at Cleary College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleary University 950/1170; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleary University 18/19; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleary College - Open admission; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleary College Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Cleary College (3.17).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Cleary College (67.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Cleary College vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Cleary College vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleary College and WMU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Cleary University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Western Michigan University's (56%).
• Graduates from Cleary University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than WMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,900 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Michigan University graduates have a $3,594 lower median loan debt than Cleary College graduates ($26,633 vs. $30,227).
• Among borrowers, WMU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleary College graduates ($275 vs. $312).
• More WMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleary College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.