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Saint Elizabeth University

EIN 22-1529785 · Morristown, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE SAINT ELIZABETH UNIVERSITY, SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF CHARITY, IS TO BE A COMMUNITY OF LEARNING IN THE CATHOLIC LIBERAL ARTS TRADITION FOR STUDENTS OF DIVERSE AGES, BACKGROUNDS, AND CULTURES. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THROUGH THE VISION AND CORE VALUES OF ELIZABETH ANN SETON, VINCENT DEPAUL, AND LOUISE DE MARILLAC AND ROOTED IN GOSPEL VALUES AND IN CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING, THE SAINT ELIZABETH UNIVERSITY AFFIRMS ITS SOLIDARITY WITH THE POOR AND ITS COMMITMENT IN SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

Income
$38.7 million
Spending
$43.9 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-4.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
555
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$451,270, president and treasurer

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: 39 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 45% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 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 (1)
  1. $34.9 million spent. SAINT ELIZABETH UNIVERSITY, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, IS A UNIVERSITY IN THE CATHOLIC, LIBERAL ARTS TRADITION. FOUNDED AS A LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE FOR WOMEN IN 1899 BY THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF SAINT ELIZABETH, THE COLLEGE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CATHOLIC COLLEGES IN THE UNITED STATES TO AWARD DEGREES TO WOMEN. THE COLLEGE BECAME INCORPORATED UNDER NEW JERSEY STATE LAW IN MAY 1900 AND GRANTED ITS FIRST BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN JUNE 1903. SINCE THEN, THE COLLEGE HAS STEADILY DEVELOPED AND IS NOW A CO-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION CLASSIFIED AMONG "MASTER'S COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES: MEDIUM PROGRAMS" IN THE CARNEGIE SYSTEM.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE COLLEGE BECAME SAINT ELIZABETH UNIVERSITY ON JULY 1, 2020. THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS 28 BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS, 17 MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMS, 2 DOCTORAL PROGRAMS, AND A VARIETY OF PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATES.

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 November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 March 1946.

    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.

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