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Princeton University

EIN 21-0634501 · Princeton, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND GENERAL - PRINCETON UNIVERSITY IS A PRIVATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT, NON-SECTARIAN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING WITH APPROXIMATELY 5,700 UNDERGRADUATE AND 3,300 GRADUATE STUDENTS. 2,500 STUDENTS GRADUATED IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. AS A WORLD-RENOWNED RESEARCH UNIVERSITY, PRINCETON SEEKS TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF DISTINCTION IN THE DISCOVERY AND TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING, AT THE SAME TIME, PRINCETON IS DISTINCTIVE AMONG RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES IN ITS COMMITMENT TO UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING.

Income
$3.2 billion
Spending
$3.2 billion
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
38.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 48%
Employees
17,462
Volunteers
27,000
Highest pay
$4.7 million, president of princo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    33 of 37 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 billion spent. RESEARCH-ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT RESEARCH CENTERS, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY IS THE SITE OF PIONEERING WORK ACROSS ALL ACADEMIC AREAS. EVERY MEMBER OF THE FACULTY IS ENGAGED IN SCHOLARLY RESEARCH. IN ADDITION, GRADUATE STUDENTS AND UPPERCLASS UNDERGRADUATES PURSUE INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. EXTERNAL SOURCES FUNDED 1,740 SEPARATE PROJECTS IN 2024-25, REFLECTING AND ENHANCING THE EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY OF RESEARCH AT PRINCETON. (Expenses $ 445,577,000 including grants of $ 15,036,000)(Revenue $ 0) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - INCLUDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION, RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION, AND THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM; STUDENT SERVICES SUCH AS ADMISSION, FINANCIAL AID, REGISTRAR, CAREER SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICES AND ATHLETICS; AND PUBLIC SERVICE.
  2. $996.4 million spent. EDUCATION - PRINCETON UNIVERSITY IS A PRIVATE NOT-FOR-PROFIT, NON-SECTARIAN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING WITH APPROXIMATELY 5,700 UNDERGRADUATE AND 3,300 GRADUATE STUDENTS. 2,500 STUDENTS GRADUATED IN THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. AS A WORLD-RENOWNED RESEARCH UNIVERSITY, PRINCETON SEEKS TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF DISTINCTION IN THE DISCOVERY AND TRANSMISSION OF KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. AT THE SAME TIME, PRINCETON IS DISTINCTIVE AMONG RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES IN ITS COMMITMENT TO UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING.
  3. $176.1 million spent. AUXILIARY ACTIVITIES-PRINCETON UNIVERSITY FURNISHES SERVICES TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY INCLUDING HOUSING, DINING, AND CONFERENCE AND EVENT SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 9,000 STUDENTS, 1,300 FACULTY, 6,700 STAFF, AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC. ONE OF PRINCETON'S DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS IS ITS SMALL, RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY THAT OFFERS A WEALTH OF ACADEMIC, EXTRACURRICULAR AND CAMPUS LIFE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. NEARLY ALL OF THE UNIVERSITY'S UNDERGRADUATES AND 70 PERCENT OF GRADUATE STUDENTS LIVE ON CAMPUS. THE UNIVERSITY ALSO OFFERS A VARIETY OF HOUSING AND DINING PROGRAMS FOR FACULTY AND STAFF. (Expenses $ 445,577,000 including grants of $ 15,036,000)(Revenue $ 0) OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - INCLUDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION, RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION, AND THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM; STUDENT SERVICES SUCH AS ADMISSION, FINANCIAL AID, REGISTRAR, CAREER SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICES AND ATHLETICS; AND PUBLIC SERVICE.
  4. $445.6 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - INCLUDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ACADEMIC ADMINISTRATION, RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION, AND THE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM; STUDENT SERVICES SUCH AS ADMISSION, FINANCIAL AID, REGISTRAR, CAREER SERVICES, HEALTH SERVICES AND ATHLETICS; AND PUBLIC SERVICE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1984.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.