Cleary University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 57 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE A BUSINESS EDUCATION THAT EQUIPS INDIVIDUALS TO DELIVER SUPERIOR SERVICE TO EMPLOYERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $29.3 million
- Spending
- $28.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -3.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
- Employees
- 305
- Volunteers
- 22
- Highest pay
- $411,930, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 76% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 57 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $21.5 million spent. INSTRUCTION AND ROOM & BOARD - THE TEACHING OF HIGHER EDUCATION COURSES TO STUDENTS AND ENABLING THEM TO SUSTAIN RESIDENCY ON CAMPUS IN ORDER TO ATTEND CLASSES, ACHIEVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND ENJOY THE FULL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE. AT CLEARY UNIVERSITY, OUR COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS REMAINS FIRST AND FOREMOST. THIS YEAR, CLEARY UNIVERSITY IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE FOLLOWING ACHIEVEMENTS: (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)#1 IN MICHIGAN FOR RATE OF RETURN (ROI) AMONG PRIVATE, NONPROFIT BUSINESS SCHOOLS #1 IN MICHIGAN FOR EARNINGS ONE YEAR AFTER GRADUATION AND 10 YEARS AFTER GRADUATION FOR A DEGREE IN BUSINESS #2 IN THE NATION FOR BEST ONLINE BUSINESS DEGREE #4 IN MICHIGAN FOR BEST BUSINESS COLLEGE #5 IN MICHIGAN FOR LOWEST TUITION RATES AMONG PRIVATE COLLEGES CLEARY ALSO RECEIVED MORE THAN $300,000 IN GRANT FUNDING FOR ITS ARTHUR SECUNDA MUSEUM IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THE UNIVERSITY'S ART CULTURE. FUNDS ARE BEING USED TO RESTORE, PRESERVE, ENRICH AND ENHANCE THE ART COLLECTION OF ARTHUR SECUNDA ON DISPLAY ON THE CAMPUS. IN ADDITION, CLEARY EXPANDED ITS CLEARY DIRECT CONNECT PROGRAM TO INCLUDE ALL MICHIGAN HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES. ELIGIBLE STUDENTS AUTOMATICALLY ARE ADMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A TEDIOUS ADMISSION PROCESS. CLEARY ATTRIBUTES ITS ONGOING SUSTAINABILITY TO MANY FACTORS, PARTICULARLY THE ALIGNMENT OF OUR CURRICULUM WITH THE LABOR MARKET.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1934.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.