Thiel College
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THIEL COLLEGE EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL BY CREATING A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT ENSURES EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE, STIMULATES GLOBAL AWARENESS, AND PROMOTES ETHICAL LEADERSHIP. IN DOING SO, THIEL PREPARES STUDENTS FOR CAREERS AND LIVES OF MEANING AND PURPOSE.
- Income
- $62.5 million
- Spending
- $54.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- -8.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 73%
- Employees
- 575
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $304,740, 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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 36% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% 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 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2534 of 34 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $50.9 million spent. FOUNDED IN 1866 AS A COEDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, THIEL COLLEGE IS AN INDEPENDENT LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE ROOTED IN THE LUTHERAN TRADITION. OFFERING DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMS IN THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES, SOCIAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES, AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, TOGETHER WITH ENGAGING CO-CURRICULAR AND ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES, THIEL PROVIDES AN ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT EMPHASIZES SERVICE TO SOCIETY. THIEL'S RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS OFFERS A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SETTING IN WHICH TO GROW AND LEARN.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.THIEL COLLEGE IS AN INDEPENDENT LIBERAL ARTS, SCIENCES AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES INSTITUTION COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE EDUCATION AND IS ACCREDITED BY THE MIDDLE STATES COMMISSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.THIEL'S FALL ENROLLMENT WAS 790 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 117 GRADUATE STUDENTS IN THREE (SLP, PA, MBA) GRADUATE PROGRAMS; SPRING ENROLLMENT WAS 693 UNDERGRADUATE AND 114 GRADUATE STUDENTS. THE COLLEGE AWARDED MORE THAN $23 MILLION DOLLARS OF AID TO THESE 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1963.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
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.