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Clark Summit University

EIN 15-0543962 · Clarks Summit, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak8 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

CLARKS SUMMIT UNIVERSITY IS A FULLY ACCREDITED, CHRIST-CENTERED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION LOCATED IN A SUBURBAN AREA OF THE SCRANTON/WILKES-BARRE, PA METROPOLITAN AREA. OUTSTANDING BIBLICAL HIGHER EDUCATION IS OFFERED THROUGH ON-CAMPUS, ONLINE, AND OTHER DISTANCE LEARNING OPTIONS. STUDENTS LEARN TO SERVE AND LEAD AS THEY GAIN CRITICAL LEADERSHIP AND LIFE SKILLS. OUR STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND AROUND THE WORLD. OUR SCENIC 114-ACRE CAMPUS INCLUDES 17 MAJOR BUILDINGS, ATHLETIC FACILITIES, AND A 4 1/2-ACRE LAKE. NEARLY 13,000 PEOPLE HAVE EARNED DEGREES AND HAVE LIVED IN ALL 50 STATES AND AS MANY FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$3.3 million
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
-38.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 37%
Employees
300
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$13,898, assistant secretary

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 8 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 119% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 128% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 83% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 16 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 May 31, 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 (2)
  1. $738,526 spent. REVENUE FROM TUITION AND FEES PAYS FOR A RANGE OF TEACHING, MATERIALS, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND TECHNICAL EXPENSES. WITH NEARLY 1,100 STUDENTS, CLARKS SUMMIT UNIVERSITY OFFERS STUDIES FROM A ONE-YEAR BIBLE CERTIFICATE TO FULL DOCTORATE PROGRAMS. UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS RANGE FROM INTERCULTURAL YOUTH MINISTRIES AND WORSHIP PASTOR TO BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHER EDUCATION. THE COLLEGE AND SEMINARY STAFF INCLUDES 23 FULL-TIME FACULTY, 16 OF WHOM HOLD TERMINAL DOCTORATE DEGREES. ACCREDITATION IS PROVIDED BY BOTH THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION OF THE MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS AND THE ASSOCIATION FOR BIBLICAL HIGHER EDUCATION. ALL DEGREES ARE APPROVED BY THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA. MORE THAN 95 PERCENT OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVE SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL AID.
  2. $975,389 spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES INCLUDE ROOM, BOARD, CAFE AND OTHER ANCILLARY FUNCTIONS OF THE INSTITUTION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 November 6, 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 May 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 1940.

    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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Clark University (Worcester, MA), EIN 04-2111203. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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