Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH · founded 1826 · 12,200 students · private research university · UAA

Known for: A prominent national research university formed by the federation of Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University, renowned for its exceptional programs in engineering, medicine, law, and management, and for its strong focus on innovation and interdisciplinary research.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #53
QS World: #401
Times Higher Education: #151
ARWU Shanghai: #101
Forbes: #98

Top programmes

Biomedical Engineering
Medicine
Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical)
Computer Science
Nursing
Law

Notable alumni

Herbert Dow — Founder of the Dow Chemical Company.
Craig Newmark — Founder of Craigslist.
Paul Buchheit — Creator of Gmail.
John J. R. Macleod — Co-discoverer of insulin, Nobel laureate.
Dennis Kucinich — Former U.S. Representative and presidential candidate.
Arie Haagen-Smit — Father of air pollution control.
Ferid Murad — Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine.

Traditions

Springfest (campus-wide celebration)
The Hudson Relays
The 'Spartan' statue rub for good luck
Thwing Center 'Over the Edge' event
Holocaust Remembrance Day programming

If Case Western Reserve University were…

As a food: Cleveland Polish Boy — Underrated, working-class, surprisingly sophisticated when you break it down — kielbasa, fries, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce on a bun. Looks humble but delivers serious substance, just like Case engineers who outperform
As an athlete: Kirk Cousins — Solid, reliable, statistically excellent, never the flashiest name but consistently performs at a high level and gets paid well — Case students aren't the sexiest brand but they get results and six-figure offers.
As a person alive today: Craig Newmark — Founded Craigslist, understated tech pioneer who built something massively useful without Silicon Valley flash — Case's entire ethos of practical innovation over hype.
As a historical figure: Garrett Morgan — Cleveland inventor who created the traffic signal and gas mask, saved countless lives through practical engineering — exactly the kind of unglamorous, essential innovation Case celebrates.
As a movie or TV show: The Social Network — Brilliant, socially awkward nerds building world-changing technology in basements and labs while everyone else is partying — Case students are the Winklevoss twins who actually finish their projects.
As a US president: Herbert Hoover — Stanford engineer, brilliant technocrat, solved massive logistical problems, underrated because he wasn't charismatic — Case students are competent problem-solvers who don't need to be the center of attention.
As a city: Pittsburgh — Rust Belt city that reinvented itself through tech and medicine, underrated, hardworking, unpretentious, with world-class institutions hidden in an unfashionable package — Case and Cleveland in a nutshell.
As an element: Titanium — Strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, essential for aerospace and medical implants — not flashy like gold but absolutely critical for advanced engineering. Case students are the titanium of higher education.
As a car: Volvo 240 DL — Boxy Swedish engineering from Cleveland's Rust Belt era—safe, practical, built to last through endless lab hours. Case Western's pre-med grinders need something that won't quit during a Cleveland winter, just like their

Campus life

CWRU's campus life in Cleveland's University Circle is academically rigorous and collaborative, with a strong focus on STEM, research, and pre-professional pursuits. Social life is more low-key, centered around academic clubs, project teams, and campus events rather than Greek life or large sports culture, though club sports and arts are active.