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Taylor University

EIN 35-0868181 · Upland, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Taylor University is to develop servant-leaders marked with a passion to minister Christ's redemptive love, grace, and truth to a world in need.

Income
$158.9 million
Spending
$137.1 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
1,848
Volunteers
177
Highest pay
$653,232, 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

    26 of 27 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 (1)
  1. $119.9 million spent. In order to advance our mission, Taylor University is committed to the following purposes: -Whole Person Focused: We involve students in learning experiences imbued with a vital Christian interpretation of truth and life which foster their intellectual, emotional, physical, vocational, social, and spiritual development. -Biblically Anchored: We believe that all truth has its source in God and His Word. We are committed individually and collectively to the prayerful study and application of Scripture. -Liberal Arts Grounded: We prepare students to adapt to a fast-changing world, equipped with critical thinking skills, a lifelong love of learning, and an appreciation for God's creation. -Christ-Centered: Our Christian faith should permeate all learning-leading to a consistent life of worship, servant-leadership, stewardship, and world outreach. -Faith and Learning Integrated: We strive to create specific experiences where the integrative focus of a Christian liberal arts education is clarified, personalized, and applied. -World Engaging: We contribute to the advancement of human knowledge and understanding and serve the evangelical Christian church and the larger, public community for the glory of God. -Servant-Leader Motivated: We foster a biblical model of relationships acknowledging both unity and diversity of the followers of Christ within a covenant community, which can be evidenced in a continuing lifestyle of service to and concern for others. AT TAYLOR UNIVERSITY WE ARE ACTIVELY SEEKING STUDENTS WHO POSSESS EXCEPTIONAL ACADEMIC PREPARATION AND ARE READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ROBUST LEARNING COMMUNITY. THIS YEAR'S INCOMING FRESHMAN CLASS HAD AN AVERAGE GPA OF 3.79 AND AN ACT OF 27. AT TAYLOR UNIVERSITY WE WILL WORK HARD TO PROVIDE THE PEOPLE, THE SERVICES, THE TOOLS, AND THE ENVIRONMENT - IN GENERAL, THE RESOURCES - TO HELP STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY PURSUE THEIR CALLING. THESE OUTSTANDING STUDENTS HELP US GET NOTICED. TAYLOR UNIVERSITY, YEAR AFTER YEAR, CONTINUES TO RECEIVE RECOGNITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS IN THE VARIOUS COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY RANKINGS. TAYLOR UNIVERSITY IS RANKED #4 IN THE BEST MIDWEST REGIONAL COLLEGES IN THE U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, MARKING THE 29TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR TAYLOR HAS APPEARED IN THE REGION'S TOP FIVE. U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT ALSO RANKED TAYLOR #7 IN BEST VALUE SCHOOLS AND #1 IN BEST UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING FOR REGIONAL COLLEGES-MIDWEST. TAYLOR WAS ALSO HIGHLY RANKED BY THE PRINCETON REVIEW AND FORBES. EACH OF THE PUBLICATIONS MEASURED CRITERIA THAT CITED THE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE OF TAYLOR'S FACULTY AND STUDENTS (CURRENT RETENTION 94%, GRADUATION RATE 78%), THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS STUDYING ABROAD, AND THE INVESTMENT MADE BY ALUMNI.

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 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 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 March 1953.

    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.