Cleary University

What Cleary University does

Cleary University is a private, nonprofit business-focused university founded in 1883 and headquartered on a 50-acre campus in Howell, Michigan, with an additional education center in Detroit. It enrolls approximately 2,000 students across associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, with more than 200 students living on campus and the remainder studying online or at the Detroit location. The institution offers a portfolio of business degrees (BBA, BS, MBA, MS, and DBA) with multiple specializations including analytics, healthcare leadership, financial planning, and a recently launched Doctor of Business Administration in Innovation & Emerging Technologies covering AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity.

The university delivers instruction through a proprietary curriculum framework branded as The Cleary Mind™ ("Business Arts"), using the Canvas learning management system for online course delivery and a 6-week, one-course-at-a-time scheduling model designed for working professionals. It maintains Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation, NC-SARA state authorization reciprocity, GI Bill recognition for veterans, and DOJ approval to train foreign students. Course modalities include on-campus (Howell and Detroit) and 100% online formats targeting traditional undergraduates, graduate students, adult learners, first responders, veterans, and international students.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees (subscription-style annual billing across degree programs) supplemented by on-campus housing and dining operations. The institution is ranked #5 lowest among private colleges in Michigan for tuition and #1 in Michigan for ROI among private nonprofit business schools, with reported outcomes of an 84% overall student success rate and average graduate salaries of $53,796 (bachelor's) and $78,790 (master's). Go-to-market is sales-led via an admissions team using phone, email, campus tours, information sessions, digital content, and a referral program. Cleary is governed by an independent Board of Trustees; no parent company or external investment is identified.

Name

Cleary University

Legal name

Cleary University

Website

https://cleary.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cleary University is a private, nonprofit business-focused university in Howell, Michigan (with a Detroit campus) enrolling ~2,000 students in associate through doctoral programs, delivered online and on-campus using The Cleary Mind™ Business Arts curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

Keywords

• Business degree programs
• Higher education services
• Online graduate programs
• Undergraduate business education
• Professional development degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Cleary University generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees from undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university offers various financial aid options including federal student aid, institutional grants and scholarships, with tuition rates ranked #5 lowest among private colleges in Michigan.
2. On-Campus Housing and Dining: Revenue from residence life operations including more than 200 students living on the 50-acre campus, with dining services and housing fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cleary University is a private, nonprofit institution offering business-focused degree programs from associate through doctoral level, delivered on its Howell, Michigan campus, at a Detroit education center, and online via the Canvas learning management system. Its degrees include an Associate in Business Administration, BBA and BS undergraduate programs, MBA and MS graduate specializations, and a DBA in Innovation & Emerging Technologies, all organized around its proprietary Business Arts curriculum branded as The Cleary Mind™.

Product overview

Cleary University offers a portfolio of undergraduate and graduate business degree programs through its unique Business Arts curriculum branded as The Cleary Mind™. The institution provides Associate in Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration (MBA) with multiple specializations, Master of Science, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Innovation & Emerging Technologies. Programs span areas including business management, leadership, analytics, marketing, accounting, healthcare, human resources, entrepreneurship, and hospitality. Delivery includes on-campus and online modalities, with the DBA program designed for working professionals featuring 100% online coursework plus one residency weekend.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Innovation & Emerging Technologies Doctoral-level Doctor of Business Administration program emphasizing AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity, designed for working professionals with 100% online delivery and one residency weekend, featuring an Applied Doctoral Project.
• MBA Programs Master of Business Administration programs with specializations in Analytics, Technology and Innovation, Global Leadership, Healthcare Leadership, Strategic Leadership, Analytical Efficiency, Financial Planning, and Management for working professionals seeking advanced business credentials.
• MS in Culture, Change, and Leadership Master of Science program focused on organizational culture, change management, and leadership development for professionals advancing into leadership roles.
• Undergraduate Business Programs (BBA and BS) Bachelor's degree programs including BBA and BS degrees in Business Management, Business Leadership, Event/Sport/Promotion Management, Marketing, Accounting and Finance, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality Management, Criminal Justice Management, and International Business Management.
• Associate in Business Administration Two-year associate degree programs in business specializations including Business, Business Enterprise, Business-Accounting/Finance, Business-Management, Culinary Management, and Sports Promotion and Management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% overall student success rate (graduated or still active in Fall 2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Market position

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cleary1883
• Facebookfacebook.com/ClearyU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cleary-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/clearyuniversity

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cleary University