CWRU Logo
Photo of a Case Western Reserve University student walking across Mather Quad with prominent sun rays shining down

Our Location

Experience Life in Cleveland

We’re proud to call Cleveland home. Our campus—just 5 miles east of downtown in the University Circle neighborhood—places you within easy reach of incredible research and career opportunities, not to mention outdoor attractions and lively city life.

Photo of downtown Cleveland, Ohio, with Cuyahoga River in view

Our City: Cleveland, Ohio

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in the U.S.—and among the top 10 for recent college graduates—Cleveland is a mid-sized metropolis on the shores of Lake Erie that boasts a big impact. Home to nearly 3 million people, the city gets high marks for its:

  • thriving healthcare and biotechnology industries,
  • lively arts and cultural scene,
  • low cost of living,
  • four-seasons climate, and
  • wealth of natural resources.

You can find extensive dining options across the city’s unique neighborhoods, lending Cleveland a reputation as a dining destination. And the city is also known for traditions and seasonal festivals from around the world—brought by more than 60 ethnic groups who call Cleveland home.

For those looking to explore through events, you’re in luck. Cheer on the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team, Cleveland Browns football team and Cleveland Guardians baseball team in venues downtown. Take in a show at Playhouse Square, the country’s largest performing arts center outside of New York City. Or head to an indie concert or comedy show at one of countless venues around the city. The options are endless!

Plan Your Visit
Photo of a crowd at an outdoor concert at Cleveland Museum of Art, with a band performing on stage in the background

Our Neighborhood: University Circle

Just minutes away from locations such as downtown Cleveland, Lake Erie, the Metroparks and more, our University Circle neighborhood comprises 550 park-like acres in a vibrant urban environment. From Case Western Reserve’s location, you’re just a short walk to some of Cleveland and University Circle’s most outstanding destinations:

As Cleveland’s most culturally and scientifically robust neighborhood, University Circle attracts visitors from throughout the region and around the world to its concerts, theater performances, athletic events, art shows, public lectures, exhibits and restaurants. Housing, shopping, and recreational facilities are all located in the area, with vibrant neighborhoods such as Coventry, Shaker Square and Cedar-Lee just up the road.

And while University Circle is incredibly walkable, it’s easy to get to other neighborhoods across Cleveland, too. We’re a short drive from countless attractions, plus undergraduates at CWRU enjoy free access to Greater Cleveland’s Regional Transit Authority (RTA) which has Rapid Line access at two nearby rail stations.

Meanwhile, dozens of the country's best medical centers—including Cleveland Clinic, the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center and University Hospitals of Cleveland—call the area home. With top-ranked hospitals, museums and performing arts centers just steps away, our campus is truly the ideal place to think beyond the possible.