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The Cedarville University

EIN 31-0536647 · Cedarville, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY TRANSFORMS LIVES THROUGH EXCELLENT EDUCATION AND INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP IN SUBMISSION TO BIBLICAL AUTHORITY. THE UNIVERSITY ACHIEVES ITS MISSION BY ACCOMPLISHING PORTRAIT STATEMENTS WHICH REFLECT CHARACTERISTICS OF A CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE.

Income
$240.8 million
Spending
$211.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 85%
Employees
3,324
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$478,530, 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

    19 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (4)
  1. $80.1 million spent. STUDENT AID: EXCELLENCE IS EXPECTED FROM EVERYONE AT CEDARVILLE. WE PROVIDE STUDENTS IN EACH OF OUR 175 AREAS OF STUDY THE RESOURCES AND SUPPORT NECESSARY TO MEET OUR COMMUNITY'S HIGH STANDARDS FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. GRADUATES EMERGE FROM CEDARVILLE WELL-PREPARED TO SUCCEED IN A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT. AS A RESULT, WE ARE TAKING OUR WELL-EARNED PLACE AS ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST COLLEGES. (Expenses $ 12,206,436 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) STUDENT SERVICES: AT CEDARVILLE, WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS ACCOUNTABLE TO ONE ANOTHER, CALLED TO REFLECT THE CHARACTER OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO BE OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD. WE WILL BE FAITHFUL IN OUR SUPPORT FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH AND IN OUR PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES. WE WILL PRACTICE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF ENCOURAGEMENT, EXHORTATION, AND RECONCILIATION. WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO INTEGRITY, KINDNESS, PURITY, AND SELF-CONTROL AND TO CONTINUAL GROWTH IN SCHOLARSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE.
  2. $75.3 million spent. INSTRUCTION AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT: LOCATED IN SOUTHWEST OHIO, CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY IS AN ACCREDITED, CHRIST-CENTERED, BAPTIST INSTITUTION WITH AN ENROLLMENT OF 7,265 UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE AND ONLINE STUDENTS IN MORE THAN 175 AREAS OF STUDY. FOUNDED IN 1887, CEDARVILLE IS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY FOR ITS AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY, RIGOROUS ACADEMIC PROGRAMS, STRONG GRADUATION AND RETENTION RATES, ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL AND HEALTH SCIENCE OFFERINGS AND HIGH STUDENT ENGAGEMENT RANKING.
  3. $20.9 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES: CEDARVILLE IS COMMITTED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE PERSON. FROM OUR STUDENT LIFE INITIATIVES TO OUR CURRICULUM DESIGN, ALL OF OUR STRUCTURES AND STRATEGIES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO PRODUCE GRADUATES WHO WILL POSSESS THE EXPERTISE AND CHARACTER NEEDED TO ENGAGE THEIR PROFESSIONAL, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SPHERES-OF-INFLUENCE WITH TRUTH FROM GOD'S UNCHANGING WORD. (Expenses $ 12,206,436 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 0) STUDENT SERVICES: AT CEDARVILLE, WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS ACCOUNTABLE TO ONE ANOTHER, CALLED TO REFLECT THE CHARACTER OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO BE OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD. WE WILL BE FAITHFUL IN OUR SUPPORT FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH AND IN OUR PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES. WE WILL PRACTICE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF ENCOURAGEMENT, EXHORTATION, AND RECONCILIATION. WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO INTEGRITY, KINDNESS, PURITY, AND SELF-CONTROL AND TO CONTINUAL GROWTH IN SCHOLARSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE.
  4. $12.2 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: AT CEDARVILLE, WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS ACCOUNTABLE TO ONE ANOTHER, CALLED TO REFLECT THE CHARACTER OF JESUS CHRIST AND TO BE OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD. WE WILL BE FAITHFUL IN OUR SUPPORT FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH AND IN OUR PRACTICE OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES. WE WILL PRACTICE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES OF ENCOURAGEMENT, EXHORTATION, AND RECONCILIATION. WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO INTEGRITY, KINDNESS, PURITY, AND SELF-CONTROL AND TO CONTINUAL GROWTH IN SCHOLARSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND 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 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 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 October 1941.

    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.

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.