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Clarkson University

EIN 15-0543659 · Potsdam, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CLARKSON UNIVERSITY IS AN INDEPENDENT, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY WHOSE FACULTY OF TEACHER-SCHOLARS ASPIRES TO OFFER SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION AND ENGAGE IN HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP IN ENGINEERING, BUSINESS, SCIENCE, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND LIBERAL ARTS.OUR PRIMARY MISSION IS TO EDUCATE TALENTED AND MOTIVATED MEN AND WOMEN TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONALS THROUGH QUALITY PRE-COLLEGIATE, UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE, AND PROFESSIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE UNDERGRADUATE EXPERIENCE. OUR COMMUNITY AND CAMPUS SETTINGS ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF STUDENT LIFE AND AFFORD STUDENTS ACCESS TO, AND INTERACTION WITH, THEIR FACULTY. WE VALUE THE DIVERSITY OF OUR UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY, AND WE STRIVE TO ATTUNE OURSELVES AND OUR PROGRAMS TO OUR GLOBAL, PLURALISTIC SOCIETY. WE SHARE THE BELIEF THAT HUMANE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DERIVE FROM THE EXPANSION, DIFFUSION, AND APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE.

Income
$223.5 million
Spending
$240.1 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
2,329
Volunteers
1,035
Highest pay
$745,162, president (thru 7/24)

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: 45 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (3)
  1. $208.7 million spent. HIGHER EDUCATION: PROVIDE INSTRUCTION, RESEARCH, PUBLIC SERVICE, CAMPUS SUPPORT, ETC., FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS (3,198 FTE STUDENTS). CLARKSON UNIVERSITY IS RANKED IN THE TOP 50 BEST VALUE SCHOOLS IN THE NATION ACCORDING TO U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORTS 2025 RANKINGS, SOLIDIFYING ITS STANDING AS A PREMIER INSTITUTION FOR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION. CLARKSON WAS NAMED ONE OF THE BEST INSTITUTIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATES BY THE PRINCETON REVIEW. THE EDUCATION SERVICES COMPANY PROFILES AND RECOMMENDS CLARKSON IN THE 2025 EDITION OF ITS ANNUAL COLLEGE GUIDE. CLARKSON UNIVERSITY'S MASTERS PROGRAM IN APPLIED DATA SCIENCE HAS BEEN RANKED ONE OF THE TOP 20 PROGRAMS IN THE COUNTRY BY FORTUNE MAGAZINE. FORBES HAS NAMED CLARKSON UNIVERSITY IN THE TOP 250 COLLEGES IN THE NATION AND AMONG THE TOP 100 IN THE NORTHEAST. CLARKSON IS RANKED IN THE TOP 140 OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL'S 2025 BEST COLLEGES IN THE U.S., AND IS ALSO RANKED IN THE TOP 40 OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL'S BEST SALARIES LIST.
  2. $9.0 million spent. EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS, GENERAL/OTHER AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES SUCH AS HOUSING, DINING, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES FOR ITS STUDENTS (2,274 FTE STUDENTS).
  3. CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1955.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.

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