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University Studies Abroad Consortium

EIN 46-4884633 · Reno, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF UNIVERSITIES STUDIES ABROAD CONSORTIUM ("USAC") IS TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ATTITUDES TO SUCCEED IN THE GLOBAL SOCIETY OF THE 21ST CENTURY. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE AN AUTHENTIC, QUALITY CONTEXT IN WHICH STUDENTS MAY GROW INTO ENGAGED CITIZENS OF THE WORLD, NOT ONLY IN THE CLASSROOM BUT ALSO THROUGH FIELD TRIPS, INTEGRATED LIVING AND ACADEMIC EXPERIENCES, SPORTS, INTERNSHIPS, AND VOLUNTEER AND SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$26.6 million
Spending
$24.7 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
14.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 95%
Employees
122
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$191,489, president/ceo

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% 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 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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

    10 of 10 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. $13.9 million spent. USAC ADMINISTERED AND FACILITATED SPECIALTY PROGRAMS FOR OVER 1,772 UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AT 23 SITES IN 12 FOREIGN COUNTRIES. PROGRAMS RANGE IN LENGTH FROM 3 WEEKS TO A FULL ACADEMIC YEAR. USAC PROGRAMS DELIVER AFFORDABLE STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES WHILE FULFILLING THE GOAL OF PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THE KNOWLEDGE, INTER-CULTURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN THE 21ST CENTURY. USAC HAS SPECIALTY PROGRAMS LOCATED IN CHILE, CHINA, COSTA RICA, CUBA, CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, GERMANY, IRELAND, ITALY, SPAIN, THAILAND, AND URUGUAY.
  2. $6.1 million spent. USAC PARTNERED WITH 24 FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES TO PROVIDE AN ACADEMIC EDUCATION AND INTERNATIONALIZATION FOR OVER 800 STUDENTS. STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS THAT RANGED IN LENGTH FROM 4 WEEKS TO A FULL ACADEMIC YEAR AT UNIVERSITIES IN AUSTRALIA, ENGLAND, IRELAND, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, THE NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, PORTUGAL, SCOTLAND, SOUTH AFRICA, SWEDEN, AND THAILAND.

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 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 May 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 November 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.