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Wasc Senior College and University Commission

EIN 46-2847593 · Alameda, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WSCUC strives to advance quality and success for all students across a range of higher education institutions and missions to foster inquiry, innovation, excellence, and sustainability through its dual responsibilities as an accreditor for accountability and continuous improvement.

Income
$8.9 million
Spending
$9.0 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
24
Volunteers
580
Highest pay
$571,219, 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs.

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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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 (3)
  1. $5.7 million spent. Accreditation Reviews: To assure satisfaction of standards and foster continuous improvement, WSCUC conducts highly structured institutional reviews, including Reaffirmation, Special, and Seeking Accreditation Visits, as well as specialized monitoring and change processes. More than 300 expert peer review volunteers from member institutions dedicate their time to support these core activities according to the Standards and Criteria for Review. To support these efforts, WSCUC develops standards, policies, and guidance to establish expectations and promote best practices, and selects and prepares peer reviewers and teams. WSCUC also develops extensive data on student outcomes and peer benchmarking, including postgraduation economic outcomes data, through the public Key Indicators Dashboard (KID) and other resources. These tools help institutions and reviewers understand and enhance student success and institutional performance.WSCUC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to certify quality and institutional eligibility for federal funding, including student access to federal Title IV financial aid. Visit wscuc.org.
  2. $461,651 spent. Education and Professional Development: WSCUC offers extensive programming and professional development opportunities designed to promote quality higher education, foster success for all students, and strengthen the peer review process. Offerings include an annual three-day conference, specialized year-long workshops, training, and community exchanges serving more than 2,000 participants. Topics focus on improving educational effectiveness and success for all students by emphasizing outcomes-focused and evidence-based decision making; assessment of student learning and programs; governance and leadership; and planning and financial management. Notable programs include the Accreditation Leadership Academy (ALA), CEO/Trustee Forums, and peer evaluator preparation for accreditation work.
  3. $925,598 spent. Policy, Innovation, and Leadership: WSCUC provides leadership in higher education policy and practice development through its mission-driven and results-oriented approach to accreditation quality review; its implementation of pioneering methods for understanding quality and effectiveness using outcome data; participation in federal rulemaking; engagement with international and national higher education institutions, organizations, and government agencies; development of resources and forums for interchange with campuses; and media activities regarding the value of higher education and accreditation.

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 September 2014.

    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.