Capital University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CAPITAL UNIVERSITY TRANSFORMS LIVES BY EMPOWERING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS THROUGH ENGAGING ACADEMIC, CO-CURRICULAR, AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES.
- Income
- $121.5 million
- Spending
- $126.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- -0.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 1,455
- Volunteers
- 21
- Highest pay
- $416,904, 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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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 2520 of 21 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
10 of 10Gave 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 (3)
- $103.0 million spent. CAPITAL UNIVERSITY PROVIDES ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES TO 1,609 UNDERGRADUATE AND 654 GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS. THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS FOUR UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES WITH MORE THAN 70 MAJORS, AND GRADUATE DEGREES IN LAW, BUSINESS, NURSING, MUSIC, EDUCATION, AND THEOLOGY TAUGHT BY APPROXIMATELY 131 FULL-TIME FACULTY. MORE THAN 1,551 UNDERGRADUATE AND 559 GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS. SINCE CAPITAL IS IN A METROPOLITAN SETTING IN THE COLUMBUS SURBURB OF BEXLEY, STUDENTS ENJOY MANY ACADEMIC, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION TO THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS HOUSED ON THE MAIN CAMPUS IN BEXLEY, THE CAPITAL UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL IS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS PROVIDING STUDENTS THE PROSPECT OF ENHANCING THEIR EDUCATION THROUGH INTERNSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND WITH LAW FIRMS IN OHIO'S CAPITAL CITY. THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AT CAPITAL INCLUDES A RICH VARIETY OF INTERNSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH NATIONAL CORPORATIONS, HEALTH, AND OTHER NON-PROFIT AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENTAL OFFICES.
- $11.9 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS PRIMARILY FURNISH GOODS AND SERVICES TO STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF. IT IS MANAGED AS A SELF-SUPPORTING ACTIVITY AND CONSIST PRIMARILY DINING AND HOUSING SERVICES.
- OTHER CONSISTS OF MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND PROGRAM REVENUES.
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 October 13, 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 June 1971.
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 October 21, 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.