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Aria University

EIN 46-3187118 · Milpitas, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ARIA UNIVERSITY'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT RESEARCH, PROFESSIONAL, LIBERAL ARTS, AND SCIENCE EDUCATION WHILE FOSTERING A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE, AND GLOBALLY CONSCIOUS LEARNING COMMUNITY. IT AIMS TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS SCHOLAR-PRACTIOINERS, PREPARING THEM TO LEAD AND CONTRIBUTE TO BOTH LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
11
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$325,634, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 140% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 December 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. $2.4 million spent. ARIA UNIVERSITY IS A NONPROFIT UNIVERSITY ACCREDITED BY THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES SENIOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY COMMISSION (WSCUC). IT OFFERS SIX MASTERS OF ARTS, FIVE DIPLOMAS, AND FIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, THE UNIVERSITY, AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IS IN PROCESS OF STARTING A SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AFTER OBTAINING LCME APPROVALS. DURING 2025, THE UNIVERSITY HAS UNDERTAKEN CERTAIN STEPS TO START A SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, A HISTORICALLY UNDESERVED MEDICAL COMMUNITY. SUCH STEPS INCLUDE ENTERING INTO A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY FOR A MEDICAL SCHOOL ADJACENT TO SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY HOSPITAL, HIRING OF A DEAN AND OTHER PERSONNEL. SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, SUBMITTING A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION TO LIAISON COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL EDUCATION (LCME), AND MORE FOCUSED FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. DESPITE ITS BEST EFFORTS, THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES THAT THE UNIVERSITY WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN ITS EFFORTS TO START A SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS DUE TO FUNDING REQUIRED AND LCME REQUIREMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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? 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 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 June 2014.

    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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