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Saint Xavier University

EIN 36-2177133 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY, A CATHOLIC INSTITUTION INSPIRED BY THE HERITAGE OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY, EDUCATES PERSONS TO SEARCH FOR TRUTH, THINK CRITICALLY, COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND SERVE WISELY AND COMPASSIONATELY IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN DIGNITY AND THE COMMON GOOD.

Income
$136.7 million
Spending
$127.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Employees
1,404
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$362,583, 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 25

    10 of 11 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 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)
  1. $108.1 million spent. FOUNDED IN CHICAGO BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY IN 1846, SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY IS A DISTINGUISHED, FOUR-YEAR, PRIVATE CATHOLIC INSTITUTION THAT PROVIDES A TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO MORE THAN 3,400 UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS WHO ARE PREPARED TO BECOME COMPASSIONATE LEADERS. CHICAGO'S FIRST CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY AND THE FIRST MERCY INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THE WORLD, SAINT XAVIER IS STUDENT-CENTERED AND MISSION DRIVEN, CONNECTING STUDENTS TO ACTIVE AND ENGAGED LEARNING AND SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVIDING A WELL-ROUNDED CURRICULUM ACCREDITED BY THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION/NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. SAINT XAVIER OFFERS A VARIETY OF UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAMS WITHIN ITS COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND EDUCATION, SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES, AND GRAHAM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT. SAINT XAVIER IS A 10-TIME COLLEGE OF DISTINCTION, RECOGNIZED IN THE AREAS OF NURSING, BUSINESS, EDUCATION, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, AND MILITARY SUPPORT. SXU WAS ALSO NAMED A MILITARY FRIENDLY SCHOOL BY MILITARY FRIENDLY IN 2025. SAINT XAVIER'S SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES CURRENTLY HOLDS THE NO. 2 RANKING FOR "BEST ONLINE GRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM" (U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025) IN THE NATION, AND ITS GRAHAM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, WHICH IS AACSB-ACCREDITED, OFFERS A TOP-RANKED UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS (U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025).SAINT XAVIER IS A TOP 10 "BEST VALUE SCHOOL" AMONG REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES IN THE MIDWEST AND AMONG THE "BEST COLLEGES FOR VETERANS" (U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, 2025) AND IS ALSO RECOGNIZED BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT FOR ITS ETHNIC DIVERSITY AND COMMITMENT TO UPWARDS SOCIAL MOBILITY. IN 2024, SAINT XAVIER MARKED THREE YEARS OF ENROLLING THE LARGEST FRESHMAN CLASSES IN THE HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTION. SXU ALSO RANKS FIFTH IN THE GREATER MIDWEST AMONG NOT-FOR-PROFIT INSTITUTIONS FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSITY, WITH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RECEIVING FEDERAL PELL GRANTS. ACCORDING TO COLLEGE NAVIGATOR, SAINT XAVIER IS THE MOST AFFORDABLE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN ILLINOIS. THE INSTITUTION IS COMMITTED TO OPENING DOORS TO BRIGHT FUTURES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.