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Briar Cliff University

EIN 42-0707124 · Sioux City, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY IS A COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO HIGHER EDUCATION WITHIN A LIBERAL ARTS AND CATHOLIC PERSPECTIVE. IN THE FRANCISCAN TRADITION OF SERVICE, CARING AND OPENNESS TO ALL, BRIAR CLIFF EMPHASIZES QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ITS STUDENTS, COMBINING A BROAD INTELLECTUAL BACKGROUND WITH CAREER DEVELOPMENT. THE UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES IT'S MEMBERS TO GROW IN SELF-AWARENESS AND IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHERS AND TO GOD.

Income
$37.5 million
Spending
$40.5 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
461
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$191,951, provost

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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 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. $31.7 million spent. BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY IS ACCREDITED AS A DEGREE-GRANTING INSTITUTION BY THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION AND IS A MEMBER OF THE NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. SINCE 1945, THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION HAS GRANTED BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY FULL ACCREDITATION. AS A FOUR YEAR LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTION, BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY OFFERS DOCTORATE, MASTERS AND BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS IN 44 FIELDS OF STUDY, RESULTING IN OVER 25,000 CREDIT HOURS OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. THE UNIVERSITY CURRENTLY SERVES A POPULATION OF OVER 1,200 STUDENTS FROM 42 STATES, ARMED FORCES POST OFFICE, PUERTO RICO, AND 14 FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
  2. $4.2 million spent. BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY AUXILIARY SERVICES ARE COMPRISED OF RESIDENCE AND DINING HALLS, AND BOOKSTORE. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MAY 31, 2025, RESIDENCE HALL OCCUPATION WAS APPROXIMATELY 360 STUDENTS.

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 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 May 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.

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