Charleston Southern University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY (CSU) IS A PRIVATE, FOUR-YEAR CO-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND SPONSORED BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA BAPTIST CONVENTION. THE UNIVERSITY'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $125.2 million
- Spending
- $124.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 92%
- Reserves
- 1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 93%
- Employees
- 1,117
- Volunteers
- 235
- Highest pay
- $443,913, president
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
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 36% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1592% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 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 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 (4)
- $78.9 million spent. INSTRUCTION: FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, ENROLLMENT WAS 3866 UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS COMPLETING TRADITIONAL, ONLINE, AND HYBRID COURSES. 792 DEGREES (614 UNDERGRADUATE, 178 GRADUATE AND DOCTORAL) WERE CONFERRED DURING THE YEAR, AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FULL-TIME PROFESSORS WAS 198 INCLUDING DEANS AND ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTEES. WE OFFERED 75 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES/CONCENTRATIONS AND 29 GRADUATE DEGREE/CONCENTRATIONS PROGRAMS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY IS REGIONALLY ACCREDITED BY THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS COMMISSION ON COLLEGES (SACSCOC), WHOSE MISSION IS TO "ASSURE THE EDUCATIONAL QUALITY AND IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS MEMBER INSTITUTIONS". CSU IS IN GOOD STANDING WITH SACSCOC AND OUR NEXT SACSCOC FULL 10-YEAR REVIEW WILL OCCUR IN 2026-27. CSU OFFERED 3712 COURSES INCLUDING ONLINE AND GRADUATE COURSES DURING THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. THE UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT RETURN OF FULL-TIME TRADITIONAL STUDENTS WHILE EXPANDING PROGRAM OFFERINGS FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS. DEANS, SENIOR ADMINISTRATORS, AND FACULTY MEMBERS ARE CONTINUALLY IN TOUCH WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS, MANY OF WHOM SERVE ON OUR ADVISORY BOARDS FOR THE VARIOUS COLLEGES AND DIVISIONS, INCLUDING BUSINESS, EDUCATION, NURSING, AND COMPUTER SCIENCE. CSU CONTINUES TO DEVELOP NEW PROGRAMS TO INCREASE WORKFORCE READINESS THROUGH INTERNSHIPS. AS THE PREFERENCE FOR REMOTE WORKING CONTINUES, WE HAVE FOUND MORE EMPLOYERS ARE SEEKING TO ENROLL THEIR EMPLOYEES IN ONLINE CLASSES TO ENHANCE THEIR MASTERY OF TECHNOLOGY VIA THE INTERNET. WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE ENROLLMENT IN OUR BS IN AERONAUTICS DEGREE PROGRAM. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 172 STUDENTS TAKING THESE CLASSES. WE CONTINUE TO REVIEW THEIR INTEREST LEVELS IN SPECIFIC AREAS AND HAVE UPFITTED AN ON-CAMPUS SIMULATION LAB AND INSTRUCTIONAL SPACES FOR THE LARGE NUMBER OF STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PURSUING THIS DEGREE. THE PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW WITH A NEW COHORT OF 48 STUDENTS ENTERING THE PROGRAM EACH MAY. THE HEALTH SCIENCE BUILDING WAS FITTED WITH THE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT IN THE LABORATORIES AND CLASSROOMS THAT WILL ENHANCE THE ABILITIES TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND PRACTICE NEW SKILLS. SIMILARLY, THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE A GROWING PROGRAM WITH HIGH LEVELS OF COMPETITION FOR ADMISSION. CSU FACULTY AND STAFF REMAIN INVOLVED WITH THE TRIDENT ADVISORY BOARD, TRIDENT UNITED WAY LITERACY PROGRAM, THE LOWCOUNTRY STEM COLLABORATIVE, AND THE CHARLESTON METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND CONTINUE TO INCREASE OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS WITH INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES WHO HAVE A LOCAL PRESENCE. THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE NEEDED EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS AND CERTIFICATE OPPORTUNITIES TO BETTER SERVE THE REGION. THE TEACHER CADET PROGRAM REMAINS ONE OF THE LARGEST PROGRAMS IN THE STATE.
- $20.2 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: CONSISTS OF CAMPUS MINISTRIES, RESIDENCE LIFE, CAREER SERVICES, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, COUNSELING SERVICES, CAMPUS RECREATION, CAMPUS SECURITY, AND TITLE IX. THE ENROLLMENT SERVICES OFFICE IS HOUSED IN THE HUNTER CENTER. ENROLLMENT SERVICES IS COMPRISED OF THE FOLLOWING: ADMISSIONS (UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE), FINANCIAL AID, STUDENT ACCOUNTS, VA SERVICES, ENROLLMENT OPERATIONS, THE CASHIER'S OFFICE, AND THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE. THE ENROLLMENT SERVICES OFFICE HANDLES ALL UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE RECRUITING. THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE HANDLES MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FOR MORE THAN 40,000 PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS ANNUALLY, RESULTING IN MORE THAN 1,400 NEW STUDENTS EACH YEAR. THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE PROCESSED MORE THAN $100 MILLION OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL AID FOR MORE THAN 3,300 STUDENTS DURING THE 2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. APPROXIMATELY NINETY-SEVEN PERCENT OF THE UNIVERSITY'S UNDERGRADUATE POPULATION RECEIVES SOME TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR THE FOLLOWING: ONE OF AMERICA'S 100 BEST COLLEGE BUYS, A COLLEGE OF DISTINCTION, ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST CHRISTIAN COLLEGES, AND A U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT BEST ONLINE COLLEGE. THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT. IN ADDITION, CSU IS PROUD OF ITS CONSISTENT SUPPORT OF VETERANS AND MILITARY AFFILIATED STUDENTS. THE SCHOOL GENEROUSLY PARTICIPATES IN THE YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR STUDENTS USING THE POST 9/11 GI BILL. OVER 500 VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS UTILIZED VETERAN EDUCATION BENEFITS AT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY DURING THE 2024-25 ACADEMIC YEAR. CONSISTENT PARTICIPATION IN THE DOD MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND PRINCIPLES OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAMS DEMONSTRATES CSU'S COMMITMENT TO THE MILITARY COMMUNITY.
- $12.0 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: THE UNIVERSITY'S AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES CONSIST PRIMARILY OF RESIDENCE LIFE, CAMPUS DINING SERVICES, THE CAMPUS BOOKSTORE, AND CONFERENCE AND CAMP OPERATIONS THAT SUPPORT STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND EXTERNAL GROUPS.DINING SERVICES - INCLUDING THE MAIN DINING HALL, JAVA CITY, BUC STOP DINER, AND CHICK-FIL-A EXPRESS - ARE OPERATED AND MANAGED BY ARAMARK. THE CAMPUS BOOKSTORE IS OPERATED AND MANAGED BY SLINGSHOT.DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, THE UNIVERSITY HOSTS EXTERNAL YOUTH AND CHURCH-AFFILIATED CAMPS AND CONFERENCES, INCLUDING PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA BAPTIST CONVENTION FOR ITS SUMMERSALT AND KIDSALT PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS OTHER LARGE CHURCH CAMPS. THESE PROGRAMS UTILIZE CAMPUS HOUSING, DINING, AND FACILITIES AND TYPICALLY SERVE APPROXIMATELY 3,500 - 4,000 PARTICIPANTS EACH SUMMER.THESE AUXILIARY ACTIVITIES GENERATE REVENUE THAT SUPPORTS THE UNIVERSITY'S OPERATIONS WHILE MAXIMIZING USE OF CAMPUS FACILITIES OUTSIDE THE ACADEMIC YEAR.
- $2.6 million spent. ACADEMIC SUPPORT: THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY (APPROXIMATELY 250,000 VOLUMES HELD) PROVIDES ONLINE AND IN-PERSON SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPAL ACADEMIC DIVISIONS. THE L. MENDEL RIVERS LIBRARY INCLUDES A COFFEEHOUSE, JAVA CITY, ON THE MAIN FLOOR AND SEVERAL SMALL STUDY ROOMS AVAILABLE BY RESERVATION FOR STUDENTS ON THE SECOND FLOOR. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS MAY ACCESS THE INTERNET WITHIN LIMITATIONS TO FACILITATE DIVERSITY AND PERSONAL GROWTH IN TECHNOLOGY, INFORMATIONAL RESEARCH SKILLS, COMPLETE ONLINE CLASSES AND EXAMS, AND PRACTICE NETIQUETTE AND ONLINE COMMUNICATION SKILLS. THE LIBRARY IS ALSO A DEPOSITORY OF US GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS, A MEMBER OF PASCAL, THE STATEWIDE ACADEMIC LIBRARY CONSORTIUM, AND PROVIDES FREE RESEARCH AND INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND GUESTS. INTERNET ACCESS IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE COMPUTER LABS AND LIBRARY EXCEPT FOR PRE-DETERMINED LAB FEES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR SOME CLASSES. CSU IS A COMPLETELY WIRELESS CAMPUS, PROVIDING ACCESS IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS FOR ALL REGISTERED RESIDENT STUDENTS. WE CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF E-BOOKS AND ELECTRONIC DATABASES AS MORE OF THE ACADEMIC LITERATURE IS BECOMING AVAILABLE ONLINE RATHER THAN IN PRINTED FORMAT. EVERY STUDENT, STAFF, AND FACULTY MEMBER HAVE FULL ACCESS TO CLASSROOM TOOLS TO FACILITATE STUDY INDIVIDUALLY OR IN GROUPS AS WELL AS ATTEND CLASSES VIRTUALLY. THE REFERENCE DESK IS ALWAYS STAFFED IN PERSON AND ONLINE FOR STUDENT ASSISTANCE AND OUR LIBRARY STAFF ARE ALL CREDENTIALED AND GRANTED FACULTY STATUS.
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
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 November 6, 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 May 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 March 1964.
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 November 4, 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.