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Wheaton College

EIN 36-2182171 · Wheaton, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Wheaton College serves Jesus Christ and advances His kingdom through excellence in liberal arts and graduate programs that educate the whole person to build the church and benefit society worldwide.

Income
$249.2 million
Spending
$197.8 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 57%
Employees
2,802
Volunteers
76
Highest pay
$595,698, president/trustee

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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 19 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (4)
  1. $105.3 million spent. EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION - THE COLLEGE OFFERS UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES IN 50 AREAS OF MAJOR STUDY INCLUDING 7 IN THE CONSERVATORY; 16 MASTER OF ARTS DEGREES, 4 POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATES, AND 3 DOCTORAL DEGREES. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 2900 STUDENTS ENROLLED AT THE COLLEGE. (Expenses $ 4,410,842 including grants of $ 888,117)(Revenue $ 9,645,375) ARTIST SERIES, THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS. MINOR PROGRAMS, APPLICATION FEES, TUITION INSTALLMENT PLAN FEES, PARKING FINES, PARKING PERMITS AND LIBRARY FINES. THE COLLEGE SOLICITS A VARIETY OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ITS PROGRAMS INCLUDING DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS. DONOR-ADVISED FUND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED ARE ACCOUNTED FOR AS OTHER INVESTMENTS. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS ALLOW FOR THE DONOR TO RECOMMEND DISTRIBUTIONS TO COLLEGE PROGRAMS OR OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. ALTHOUGH THE COLLEGE GENERALLY COMPLIES WITH THE DONOR'S RECOMMENDATION, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE COLLEGE'S CHARITY SELECTION COMMITTEE. THE COLLEGE'S POLICY IS TO DISTRIBUTE A MAXIMUM OF 75% - 90% OF DONOR-ADVISED FUND CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRELATED THIRD PARTIES.
  2. $28.9 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES - PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED FOR THE ENRICHMENT OF THE STUDENTS TO ALLOW THEM TO EXPERIENCE LIFE AS A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY. WHEATON COLLEGE ATHLETICS SPONSORS 21 SPORTS FOR MALE AND FEMALE STUDENT ATHLETES.
  3. $13.7 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES - THE COLLEGE PROVIDES ROOM AND BOARD FOR ITS STUDENTS. (Expenses $ 4,410,842 including grants of $ 888,117)(Revenue $ 9,645,375) ARTIST SERIES, THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS. MINOR PROGRAMS, APPLICATION FEES, TUITION INSTALLMENT PLAN FEES, PARKING FINES, PARKING PERMITS AND LIBRARY FINES. THE COLLEGE SOLICITS A VARIETY OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ITS PROGRAMS INCLUDING DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS. DONOR-ADVISED FUND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED ARE ACCOUNTED FOR AS OTHER INVESTMENTS. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS ALLOW FOR THE DONOR TO RECOMMEND DISTRIBUTIONS TO COLLEGE PROGRAMS OR OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. ALTHOUGH THE COLLEGE GENERALLY COMPLIES WITH THE DONOR'S RECOMMENDATION, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE COLLEGE'S CHARITY SELECTION COMMITTEE. THE COLLEGE'S POLICY IS TO DISTRIBUTE A MAXIMUM OF 75% - 90% OF DONOR-ADVISED FUND CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRELATED THIRD PARTIES.
  4. $4.4 million spent. ARTIST SERIES, THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS. MINOR PROGRAMS, APPLICATION FEES, TUITION INSTALLMENT PLAN FEES, PARKING FINES, PARKING PERMITS AND LIBRARY FINES. THE COLLEGE SOLICITS A VARIETY OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ITS PROGRAMS INCLUDING DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS. DONOR-ADVISED FUND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED ARE ACCOUNTED FOR AS OTHER INVESTMENTS. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS ALLOW FOR THE DONOR TO RECOMMEND DISTRIBUTIONS TO COLLEGE PROGRAMS OR OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. ALTHOUGH THE COLLEGE GENERALLY COMPLIES WITH THE DONOR'S RECOMMENDATION, THEY ARE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE COLLEGE'S CHARITY SELECTION COMMITTEE. THE COLLEGE'S POLICY IS TO DISTRIBUTE A MAXIMUM OF 75% - 90% OF DONOR-ADVISED FUND CONTRIBUTIONS TO UNRELATED THIRD PARTIES.

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 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 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 January 1976.

    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.