Ferrum College
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR STUDENTS ENTER WITH PROMISE AND LEAVE WITH PURPOSE. WE FOSTER PERSONAL GROWTH, ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, CAREER-READY SKILLS, AND A COMPASSION FOR SERVICE GROUNDED IN FAITH. WE EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO LEAD PURPOSEFUL LIVES, GUIDED BY FERRUM COLLEGE VALUES AND A COMMITMENT TO IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD.
- Income
- $40.0 million
- Spending
- $41.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 73%
- Employees
- 643
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $223,255, 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
Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 17 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 (4)
- $19.7 million spent. INSTRUCTION - FERRUM MAINTAINS A TRADITION OF OFFERING A COMPREHENSIVE ACADEMIC PROGRAM IN ACCORD WITH A LIBERAL ARTS CORE. WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TO MAXIMIZE STUDENTS' CHANCES FOR SUCCESS BY PROVIDING ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AND POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT. THE CURRICULUM INCLUDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAREER PREPARATION AS WELL AS PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO HELP EACH STUDENT FULFILL HIS OR HER PERSONAL EDUCATIONAL GOALS. FERRUM COLLEGE OFFERS 32 MAJORS AND 41 MINORS, AS WELL AS A STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO OF 11:1. THE COLLEGE STRIVES TO PROVIDE PRE-PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES BY OFFERING A WIDE ARRAY OF INTERNSHIPS IN ITS MAJORS. THE COLLEGE ALSO OFFERS SEVERAL GRADUATE PROGRAMS. FERRUM COLLEGE PROVIDES ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT THROUGH TUTORING, ACADEMIC ADVISING AND ACADEMIC COUNSELING THROUGH THE CARTER CENTER FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS. THE COLLEGE ALSO OPERATES A FITNESS CENTER THAT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO PUT INTO PRACTICE WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM.
- $1.8 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT STANLEY LIBRARY CONSISTS OF THE 21ST CENTURY LEARNING AREA WHICH HOUSES OUR LEARNING ENGAGEMENT AND PRACTICE (LEAP) STUDIO FOR LIBRARY INSTRUCTION, OUR DIGITAL MEDIA CENTER, OUR DIGITAL AUDIO LAB, AND OUR "GREEN SCREEN" ROOM. THE LIBRARY ALSO HAS A SUFFICIENT PRINT COLLECTION, A LEARNING COMMONS STUDY AREA, FULL RANGE OF RESOURCE SHARING SERVICES, AND OTHER QUIET STUDY AREAS. THE MICHAEL CHRISTIAN '63 FOR FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE IS DESIGNED TO HELP STUDENTS ADJUST TO FERRUM COLLEGE AND OBTAIN THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE STUDENT. THE PROGRAM ENGAGES NEW STUDENTS TO CULTIVATE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEARNING PROCESS, AND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CAMPUS RESOURCES AND COMMUNITY AVAILABLE TO THEM. THE STATE CENTER FOR BLUE RIDGE FOLKLORE, FERRUM COLLEGE'S BLUE RIDGE INSTITUTE AND MUSEUM (BRIM) HAS DOCUMENTED THE FOLKWAYS OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN AND AROUND THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS. THE BRIM ADDS A UNIQUE ELEMENT TO FERRUM COLLEGE'S MODERN ACADEMIC PROGRAMS. THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO STUDENTS. THE BLUE RIDGE INSTITUTE FARM MUSEUM IS AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR A SMALL FEE.
- $6.6 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES - STUDENT LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT FACILITATES A DIVERSE CALENDAR OF EVENTS THAT ENHANCES AND COMPLIMENTS THE CURRICULUM AND CO-CURRICULUM; SUPPORTS CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT NOT ONLY INVOLVE, BUT ENGAGES STUDENTS, AND PROMOTES SERVICE LEARNING. ATHLETICS - FERRUM COLLEGE CONSIDERS INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS TO BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AND SEEKS TO PROVIDE POSITIVE AND ENRICHING PROGRAMS THAT COMPLEMENT AND REINFORCE THE EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS, ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE OF STUDENT ATHLETES. ADMISSIONS PROMOTES FERRUM COLLEGE THROUGH VARIOUS MARKETING PROGRAMS INCLUDING MAILINGS, ATTENDANCE AT VARIOUS HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE FAIRS, AND PERSONAL TOURS OF THE CAMPUS IN ORDER TO ENROLL STUDENTS. FINANCIAL AID COMPLEMENTS THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS BY WORKING WITH FAMILIES TO SECURE FINANCIAL RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR ATTENDANCE. REGISTRAR ASSISTS AS WELL BY VERIFYING THE ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS OF POTENTIAL STUDENTS AND THEN FOLLOWS THE STUDENT THROUGH THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRESS TO GRADUATION. TRI-AREA COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER (3RD PARTY PARTNER) AND FERRUM COLLEGE COUNSELING SERVICES PROVIDE HEALTH SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS.
- $7.1 million spent. AUXILIARIES - THE TWO MAJOR AREAS OF AUXILIARIES ARE RESIDENCE LIFE AND DINING SERVICES. RESIDENCE LIFE INCLUDES RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND STAFF THAT SUPPORT THE ON CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING EXPERIENCE. DINING SERVICES INCLUDES COST OF MEAL PLANS AND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT OR REPAIRS. OTHER AUXILIARY ITEMS INCLUDE THE CAMPUS SPIRIT STORE, SUMMER PROGRAMS, AND FACULTY/STAFF RENTAL HOUSING.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1948.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.
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