College Board
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to serve over 6,000 members and connect more than 7 million students to college success and career opportunity. Through our programs and initiatives, we expand opportunities for students and challenge them to own their future by practicing hard and taking advantage of every opportunity they earn.
- Income
- $1.2 billion
- Spending
- $963.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 23.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 86%
- Employees
- 2,117
- Volunteers
- 841
- Highest pay
- $2.3 million, ceo/trustee
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2529 of 31 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 December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Reports results. Its tax return states measurable results. These are its own figures and nobody has checked them.
Results it reports
- Nearly 1.2 million students in the class of 2024 took more than 4.3 million AP Exams in U.S. public high schools.Work delivered
- 22.6% of the graduating class scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam.Change achieved
- 35.7% of public high school graduates took at least one AP Exam during high school.Work delivered
- 1.97 million students in the high school class of 2024 took the SAT at least once.Work delivered
- 1.35 million students took the SAT through SAT School Day.Work delivered
Read from the return by an AI model and shown only where the wording was found in the return. These are the charity's own figures.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $453.3 million spent. Advanced Placement Program Founded in 1955, the Advanced Placement program gives students the opportunity to take college-level coursework and exams in high school. Students who succeed on AP exams are more likely to succeed in college and can potentially earn valuable college credit. Even taking just one AP course provided students a boost in first-year grades and on-time bachelor's degree attainment. College Board is committed to expanding access and opportunities for students to challenge themselves with college-level coursework and prepare themselves for college and career. Nearly 1.2 million students in the class of 2024 took more than 4.3 million AP Exams in U.S. public high schools nationwide, as educators across the country encourage a wider range of capable students to experience the benefits of AP. Among 2024 U.S. public high school graduates, 35.7% took at least one AP Exam during high school, and 22.6% of the graduating class scored a 3 or higher (out of 5) on at least one AP exam. Over the past 10 years, the percentage of all U.S. public high school graduates earning a score of 3 or higher on at least one AP exam has grown by 2.9 percentage points.During that same period more than 1 in 5 U.S. public school graduates scored 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam. The AP Program provides students, teachers, and administrators with free resources, support, and feedback throughout the year. All students have access to free AP Daily videos and AP Daily: Live Review sessions. AP Daily videos are short on-demand segments led by expert AP teachers that cover all course content and skills. Teachers can assign them for out-of-class work and use valuable class time for more focused engagement with students. These resources help schools target instruction and provide practice opportunities. CLEP: The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), the most widely trusted college-based credit-by-examination program for more than 50 years, is accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities and administered in over 2,000 test centers. CLEP increases opportunities for students by enabling them to earn college credit by demonstrating knowledge they have gained in other settings, such as independent study, workforce training, or other experiences. CLEP exams can save money and time for students of all ages and backgrounds, including students in dual enrollment or continuing education programs, homeschooled, international, and/or transfer students. Members of the military can also take advantage of the financial savings CLEP offers; through a College Board partnership with the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), military personnel can take CLEP exams for free. Students may take any of 34 examinations in 5 subject areas, covering material usually taught in a 2-year degree program or the first 2 years of a 4-year program. Research shows students who earn course credit for achieving a required minimum CLEP exam score perform as well as or better than their classmates without CLEP exam credit in sequent or subsequent courses. (Expenses $ 35,337,274 including grants of $ 2,381,520)(Revenue $ 18,809,603) Other Services Research and Advocacy - College Board's Research and Advocacy efforts are related primarily to the areas of college preparation and access, college affordability and financial aid, college admissions and completion, and the importance of teachers and school counselors. Membership - College Board works to strengthen relationships among members to achieve our shared goals through programs, services, and large-scale conferences, and seeks to foster community, expand knowledge, and enhance the education profession. Puerto Rico and Latin America - College Board Puerto Rico and Latin America develops programs and services specially designed for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and countries where the primary language is Spanish. These programs are aimed at systematizing the university evaluation and admissions processes, strengthening academic and personal orientation, and promoting educational excellence.
- $203.7 million spent. SAT Suite of Assessments College Board's SAT Suite, which includes the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9, measures what research shows students need to succeed after high school. It also connects students with fee waivers, scholarship opportunities, free, personalized practice, and college and career planning tools. The 2024 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report shows that 1.97 million students in the high school class of 2024 took the SAT at least once, up from 1.91 million in the class of 2023. The SAT can connect students with colleges and scholarship opportunities to help pay for college. College Board survey results continue to showmore than 80% of students want the chance to send their scores to colleges. The majority of test takers took the assessment through SAT School Day, in-school program that dramatically expands access to SAT testing. In the class of 2024, 1.35 million students took the SAT through SAT School Day, which provides schools, districts, and states a way to offer the SAT to juniors and seniors in school, on a weekday, at no cost to students. Overall, more than 68% of SAT takers in the class of 2024 took the SAT on a school day, the highest percentage to date, compared to 67% of the class of 2023, 63% of the class of 2022, 62% of the class of 2021, and 49% of the class of 2020. As of March 2024, we have completed the transition to delivering the SAT Suite of Assessments digitally.
- $121.8 million spent. College and Career Opportunities and Enrollment By connecting students to colleges and scholarships, and providing access to credit programs, planning tools, and fee waivers for all who need them, College Board is increasing opportunities and breaking down barriers to college and helping students identify career opportunities. BigFuture: BigFuture is a free, online resource that helps students take the right first step after high school. It helps students explore careers, plan for college, and pay for college. Whether a student is interested in a four-year university, community college, or career training, BigFuture simplifies the steps students can take to start planning their future. Driven by insights from real students, educators, and industry leaders, and backed by over 100 years of College Board research, BigFuture provides personalized information that meets students' needs. And when students take important actions toward their future, they're rewarded with the chance to win scholarships. BigFuture Scholarships launched in December 2018 and are open to all students starting in 10th grade. Students who complete steps on BigFuture can win scholarship drawings-two $40,000 scholarships or multiple $500 scholarships per month. More than $20 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 21,000 students since the program started. Student Search Service: College Board's Student Search Service, or Search, is a free, optional program that connects students with information about educational and financial aid opportunities from nearly 1,400 eligible colleges and universities, and scholarships and other educational programs. Students can opt in to participate in Search at any time when they visit the BigFuture website or when they take the SAT Weekend assessment. By choosing to participate, students give College Board permission to share their names and limited information with colleges and scholarship programs looking for students like them. Research shows that students contacted by colleges in Search are more likely to enroll in and finish college. The College Board National Recognition Programs: College Board's National Recognition Program honors high-performing students for their dedication and hard work, helping them gain Visibility with colleges. Students across schools nationwide will be eligible to claim an award based on their achievement. Awardees are among the highest achieving students in their communities, including those from lesser-known high schools, and as a result, many colleges are eager to recruit them. Colleges use the National Recognition Program to support their recruitment strategies. The program helps colleges recruit talented students across communities based on their achievement. Students can receive up to six award designations, including a new School Recognition Award for high school students who are in the top of their school community, so we can celebrate academic achievements in every corner of the country. Students are eligible for recognition in 10th and 11th grade based on their exceptional academic performance on the PSAT/NMSQT (10th, 11th), PSAT 10 (10th) and/or AP Exams (by the end of 10th grade). Expanded Scholarship Opportunities: Participating in Student Search Service helps match students with scholarship providers. In addition to its partnership with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, College Board connects students to 22 scholarship partners that offer almost $300 million in annual rewards to qualified students based on merit and financial need. By using information from the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10, our scholarship partners are able to access a wider group of eligible students from high schools across the country and make sure they're aware of the opportunities they've earned. Fee Waivers: In 2024, College Board provided over $106 million in fee waivers and fee reductions. CSS Profile: CSS Profile is a common application that helps colleges deliver nonfederal institutional aid dollars to students who need it most. CSS Profile provides additional information beyond the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so families can provide a more complete picture of their financial circumstances. This additional data also allows institutions to distribute aid more equitably and strategically. Hundreds of colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools, and scholarship organizations rely on CSS Profile to help make collegea reality for students. Collectively, institutions and organizations that use CSS Profile award more than $10 billion annually in institutional grants and scholarships to students based on financial need. (Expenses $ 35,337,274 including grants of $ 2,381,520)(Revenue $ 18,809,603) Other Services Research and Advocacy - College Board's Research and Advocacy efforts are related primarily to the areas of college preparation and access, college affordability and financial aid, college admissions and completion, and the importance of teachers and school counselors. Membership - College Board works to strengthen relationships among members to achieve our shared goals through programs, services, and large-scale conferences, and seeks to foster community, expand knowledge, and enhance the education profession. Puerto Rico and Latin America - College Board Puerto Rico and Latin America develops programs and services specially designed for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and countries where the primary language is Spanish. These programs are aimed at systematizing the university evaluation and admissions processes, strengthening academic and personal orientation, and promoting educational excellence.
- $35.3 million spent. Other Services Research and Advocacy - College Board's Research and Advocacy efforts are related primarily to the areas of college preparation and access, college affordability and financial aid, college admissions and completion, and the importance of teachers and school counselors. Membership - College Board works to strengthen relationships among members to achieve our shared goals through programs, services, and large-scale conferences, and seeks to foster community, expand knowledge, and enhance the education profession. Puerto Rico and Latin America - College Board Puerto Rico and Latin America develops programs and services specially designed for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and countries where the primary language is Spanish. These programs are aimed at systematizing the university evaluation and admissions processes, strengthening academic and personal orientation, and promoting educational excellence.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1942.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.