Creighton University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Creighton University is a Catholic and Jesuit comprehensive university committed to excellence in its selected undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. As Catholic, Creighton is dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms and is guided by the living tradition of the Catholic Church. As Jesuit, Creighton participates in the tradition of the Society of Jesus which provides an integrating vision of the world that arises out of the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. As comprehensive, Creighton's education embraces several colleges and professional schools and is directed to the intellectual, social, spiritual, physical and recreational aspects of students' lives and to the promotion of justice. Creighton exists for students and learning. Members of the Creighton community are challenged to reflect on transcendent values, including their relationship with God, in an atmosphere of freedom of inquiry, belief and religious worship.
- Income
- $818.1 million
- Spending
- $697.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 69%
- Employees
- 6,455
- Volunteers
- 860
- Highest pay
- $4.0 million, athletic coach
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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2539 of 41 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $327.0 million spent. Higher Education: Instruction - Creighton University, founded in 1878, is a private, Catholic, Jesuit educational institution with primary campuses in Omaha, NE and Phoenix, AZ with nearly 8,500 students of diverse faiths, races, and ethnic backgrounds from across the United States and 53 countries. The University provides its over 4,300 undergraduate and nearly 4,200 professional and graduate students a balanced educational experience, a rigorous academic agenda and a broad range of disciplines. Creighton's distinctive approach to education instills not just information but ideals, imbues not just technical skills but critical and creative thinking, and inspires not just competence but professional distinction and faith-based leadership and service. In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences, the University's oldest and largest school or college, Creighton University includes the Heider College of Business, the College of Nursing, the Graduate School, the Schools of Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy and Health Professions, and College of Professional and Continuing Education. (Expenses $ 24,620,968 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 14,819,935) Sponsored Research and Other Education and General
- $111.5 million spent. Student Life Programs (including Auxiliary Services) - Guided by Jesuit, Catholic values and in support of Creighton University's mission, the Division of Student Life fosters holistic student development in the Ignatian tradition through its programs and services, to produce students engaged in their communities with compassion, confidence, and character. Student Life programs include Student Counseling Services; Student Health Education and Compliance; Community Standards and Student Conduct; New Student Orientation and Transition Programs; Student Leadership and Involvement Center - includes oversight of Creighton Students Union (student government), Fraternity and Sorority Life, and nearly 400 registered student organizations; Recreation and Wellness - includes intramural/club sports and fitness programs; Housing & Residential Life (approximately 2,200 students live in one of the eight residence halls on campus); Dining Services; Student Centers; Conference & Event Services; Business Operations (including Financial Operations, Communications, and Technology); and Creighton University's Retreat Center in Griswold, IA. Student Life services are provided on both the Omaha, NE campus as well as the Phoenix, AZ Health Sciences campus.
- $29.6 million spent. Higher Education: Health Care Services - Creighton University's health sciences schools currently provide healthcare education for nearly 3,800 dental, medical, physician assistant, nursing, pharmacy, and occupational and physical therapy students. Health sciences students are required to complete clinical training hours as part of their education. Clinical training is arranged through partnerships with healthcare providers and via university owned and operated clinical sites for dental, pharmacy, and occupational and physical therapy. (Expenses $ 24,620,968 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 14,819,935) Sponsored Research and Other Education and General
- $24.6 million spent. Sponsored Research and Other Education and General
- The grants and/or financial assistance provided to the students are applied directly to the student's account.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1935.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.
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.