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Rider University

EIN 21-0650678 · Lawrence Twp, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RIDER UNIVERSITY IS A COMPREHENSIVE, PRIVATE UNIVERSITY OFFERING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS, EDUCATION, LIBERAL ARTS, SCIENCES, MUSIC, AND FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR RIDER UNIVERSITY'S MISSION, VISION, AND PROMISE.

Income
$198.7 million
Spending
$207.5 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
2,069
Volunteers
474
Highest pay
$521,595, president

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: 40 out of 100. Higher than 6% 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

    2 of 20

    It owes 76% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

    25 of 25 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 (5)
  1. $117.4 million spent. INSTRUCTION: RIDER UNIVERSITY IS AN INDEPENDENT, COMPREHENSIVE, TEACHING ORIENTED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING. THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO STUDENTS THROUGH ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND STUDENT WORKSTUDY PROGRAMS. RIDER UNIVERSITY IS CURRENTLY ORGANIZED INTO THREE COLLEGES - THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES; THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES; AND THE NORM BRODSKY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR INSTRUCTION.THE PRIVATE UNIVERSITY CURRENTLY SERVES 3,030 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 528 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT GRADUATE STUDENTS IN OVER 100 UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS AND MINORS AND OVER 50 GRADUATE DEGREES AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS. THERE ARE 190 FULL-TIME FACULTY, WITH 93% HOLDING A DOCTORATE OR THE HIGHEST DEGREE IN THEIR FIELD.RIDER IS REGIONALLY ACCREDITED BY THE MIDDLE STATES COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND ALSO HOLDS SPECIALIZED ACCREDITATION WITH THESE PRESTIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:- AACSB INTERNATIONAL (ASSOCIATION TO ADVANCE COLLEGIATE SCHOOLS OF BUSINESS) - RIDER IS AMONG THE SELECT BUSINESS SCHOOLS TO HAVE ATTAINED THIS DISTINCTION AND THE ONLY SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY TO HOLD THE SPECIALIZED AACSB ACCREDITATION IN ACCOUNTING.- NCATE AND CAEP - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND THEIR APPLICABLE GRADUATE PROGRAMS ON BOTH CAMPUSES ARE ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF TEACHER EDUCATION AND THE COUNCIL FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF EDUCATOR PREPARATION.- NASM - THE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE MUSIC PROGRAMS OF WESTMINSTER CHOIR COLLEGE ARE ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF MUSIC.- CACREP - RIDER'S GRADUATE COUNSELING SERVICES PROGRAM IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION HOLDS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION FROM THE COUNCIL FOR ACCREDITATION OF COUNSELING AND RELATED EDUCATION PROGRAMS.- NASP - THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION IS ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL ACCREDITATION OF SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS.- AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY - RIDER'S CHEMISTRY PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED BY THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY.
  2. $24.9 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: PRIMARY ROOM AND BOARD. THE LAWRENCEVILLE CAMPUS HOUSES APPROXIMATELY 1,738 STUDENTS IN THIRTEEN RESIDENCE HALLS AND FOUR SPECIAL INTEREST HOUSES. THE LAWRENCEVILLE CAMPUS OFFERS AN ARRAY OF FOOD OPTIONS FOR FACULTY, STUDENTS, STAFF, AND GUESTS IN THE DINING HALL, CAFES, AND VENDING AREAS. FACILITIES FOR DINING INCLUDE DALY'S DINING HALL, CRANBERRY'S, STARBUCKS, AND SAXBY'S. RIDER UNIVERSITY ALSO OFFERS SPACE FOR RENTALS FOR CAMPS, CONFERENCES, AND BANQUETS. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE MUSIC INSTRUCTION FOR THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $24.7 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: RIDER UNIVERSITY PROVIDES THESE SERVICES TO THE ENTIRE STUDENT COMMUNITY IN AN EFFORT TO DEVELOP THE INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL TALENTS OF ITS STUDENTS. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE: ADMISSIONS, ATHLETICS, GREEK LIFE, CAREER SERVICES, CAMPUS LIFE, COUNSELING CENTER, HEALTH CENTER, FINANCIAL AID, RECREATION PROGRAMS, STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY AND SUPPORT SERVICES, AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT.
  4. $10.8 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT: GENERAL SUPPORT TO THE STUDENTS. THESE INCLUDE ACADEMIC INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, DEAN'S OFFICE, LIBRARIES, THEATER, ART GALLERY, TV STUDIO, AND OTHER SIMILAR ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES.
  5. $959,539 spent. RESEARCH: RESEARCH PERFORMED BY FACULTY AND STUDENTS.

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 February 1925.

    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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