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Ashland University

EIN 34-0714626 · Ashland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ASHLAND UNIVERSITY, GUIDED BY OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE, IS A COMPREHENSIVE, PRIVATE UNIVERSITY THAT PROVIDES A TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE, SHAPING GRADUATES WHO WORK, SERVE AND LEAD WITH INTEGRITY IN THEIR LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES.

Income
$136.6 million
Spending
$137.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
2,470
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$409,819, former president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 29% 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

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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

    22 of 23 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 May 31, 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 (2)
  1. $112.7 million spent. ASHLAND UNIVERSITY OFFERS MORE THAN 70 DIFFERENT ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AT THE BACHELOR'S, MASTER'S, AND DOCTORATE LEVELS. THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS ARE DIVERSE AND RICH IN OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS. THE INTEGRATION OF THE LIBERAL ARTS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT IS A MAJOR STRENGTH OF ASHLAND UNIVERSITY. THE UNIVERSITY CONSISTS OF THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, COLLEGE OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES, EASHLAND AND ASHLAND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY. THE ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DIVISION ALSO OVERSEES LIBRARY SERVICES, GLOBAL EDUCATION, AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT INCLUDING ADVISING AND TUTORING SERVICES.
  2. $15.2 million spent. THE UNIVERSITY'S AUXILIARY ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS EXIST PRIMARILY TO FURNISH GOODS AND SERVICES TO STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF. MANAGED AS ESSENTIALLY SELF-SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES, THE UNIVERSITY'S AUXILIARY ACTIVITIES CONSIST PRIMARILY OF HOUSING SERVICES, DINING SERVICES, CAMPUS STORES, COPY SERVICES, AND LAUNDRY SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 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 May 1949.

    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.

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.