Life University Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 51 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O
- Income
- $89.1 million
- Spending
- $90.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- -8.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 96%
- Employees
- 1,006
- Volunteers
- 250
- Highest pay
- $495,086, 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: 20 out of 100. Higher than 0% 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
2 of 20It owes 78% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 51 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 2513 of 13 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 (6)
- $37.2 million spent. College of Chiropractic The Mission of the College of Chiropractic is to educate, mentor and graduate contemporary and compassionate Doctor of Chiropractic, based on a model of Vertebral Subluxation. The College establishes an environment demonstrating the expression of the University core values; to embody Vitalism, nurture the standard to live an exceptional life of Integrity and be of service to the world. Delivering Chiropractic Education - Curriculum Revision Began in Fall Quarter, 2024 The college has engaged in a thorough review of the curriculum beginning in 2020 consistent with best practices in higher education. The curriculum revision began in the fall quarter, 2024. The curriculum includes more online course options, fewer contact hours with more student engagement activities in laboratory and a clinical immersion experience. The courses sequencing, student outcomes, weekly topics, course descriptions, learning activities and course assessments are being created and processed through the college registrar and faculty committees. The course themes of the philosophy of chiropractic, business instruction, technique and research have been revised for the most up to date instruction for the success of graduates in the clinic and in their future practice. The faculty are supported through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), the students will be supported through university advisement and the Academic Learning Center. In the academic support department, the academic support departments have reinforced remote laboratory content through in-person sessions with faculty and supplemental instruction. The department also provides peer tutoring assistance for students in need of additional support which has been popular and effective. College of Chiropractic Clinic System The mission of the Life University Clinic System is to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the communities we serve by providing chiropractic care and other health services, centered on the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. We will maintain excellence in the educational standards of our teaching clinics and encourage all constituents of our clinics to actively participate in their own health and wellness care, and to actively participate in health and wellness programs that reach out to others in our communities. Clinical operations incorporate a variety of chiropractic services provided to the general public inclusive of complementary services provided to a range of special populations. The clinic system is composed of several types of clinical experiences. The clinical education and patient care delivery are stratified into three levels. The educational goals and objectives are clearly spelled out for each level, and assessment tools developed to ensure that appropriate competencies are measured, and outcomes utilized to improve the clinical program. Level I Experience: The Level I clinic experience includes quarters one and five through eight and is where basic competencies are developing in an environment where there is close faculty supervision and mentorship. The majority of patients being cared for at Level I clinic are not expected to present with complex case presentations. Level II Experience: The Level II clinic experience includes quarters nine through twelve. Students continue to develop competency and critical thinking skills and focus on developing competency in patient management. Although competency development continues, the student now has access to a larger volume and variety of patients with a range of conditions. Level II Clinic: The Center for Health and Optimum Performance provides health care services to the public in a fee-for-service environment. Level III Experiences: Level III clinic encompasses the final quarters of the clinical education program. In Level III the student experiences integration into broader health care environments. These experiences are provided through a variety of programs; these programs may include field doctor's office experiences, international satellite clinics, and/or sporting events. All off campus clinical education experiences take place at sites that have agreements and/or signed contracts with the University. Level III Clinics: There are currently two programs operating under the Level III programs; Extension faculty operate their own field practice and are in both domestic and international locations. Clinic Program Activities LIFE University administration continues to improve the restructured system to include a Director of Clinics managing patient care activities, patient safety, and provider supervision and management. The Director of Clinical Education serves as staff supervisor. The Director of Clinics manages the Functional Kinesiology and Radiology Departments, and durable goods and supplement sales. The Senior Clinic Office Manager assists in supervising and managing support staff operations, budget, reporting, business operations, and payer relations. The Director of Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement serves to manage the Ambu-qual system of patient care and clinic compliance, internal record monitoring program, and serves as the HIPAA Privacy Officer. The Director of Clinics works with the university marketing department and is in charge of clinic branding, advertising, and promotion efforts. The PEAK (Externship) Program Director manages the Level III program. The Dean of the College of Chiropractic supervises all directors and clinic operations.
- $14.3 million spent. College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies The Mission of the Life University College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies is to empower students to achieve successful careers and meaningful lives, based on a vitalistic philosophy that promotes optimum performance and transformational leadership, to produce a positive impact in a dynamic world. The College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies utilizes a standardized degree plan for all bachelor's degrees (180 quarter credit hours) across all programs to include general education core, foundation to major courses, major courses, and minor/elective courses. The College continues to work on increasing retention and graduation rates through targeted academic programs and services. For example, the College implemented several programs to increase the connection with students to prepare them for the workforce or further the educational journey to professional or graduate programs. This year, many partnerships with businesses and industry have been credited with facilitating this program and serving on advisory boards and internship opportunities. The Social Science Division continues to receive funding from the Laughing Gull and Sunshine Lady organizations for the continued work with the Chillon Project working with the prison population. It has also been chosen as a sub-recipient of a federal grant to the G.A.C.H.E.P. as part of the Federal Bureau of Justice Administration's Second Chance Act. Funds from this grant will launch the initiative "Expanding Pathways from Incarceration to Higher Education". The pathways program will provide on-ramps to college along with post-release reentry support to students who are incarcerated at prisons across the state. LU will partner with Georgia State University, and Common Good Atlanta to provide enrichment, transitional, and general education courses for students at four facilities. GACHEP staff will provide directed guidance to these students as they transition to enrolling in college, whether they continue their studies inside or outside of the prison. This program also sponsored "Restore HER's D.A.T.A is Life" Conference. The Conference focused on research led by women with lived experience of incarceration and promoted transparency and accountability in this arena. Online Education operates as a part of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies and seeks to provide a high-quality global online educational experience, based on a vitalistic philosophy, that maximizes each student's innate potential to pursue their goals and assume leadership roles in the workplace by applying integrity and principles of lasting purpose. Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) promotes excellence in teaching and learning at Life University by providing faculty and staff with resources, support, and professional enrichment opportunities to enhance instructional practices, integrate educational technologies, and pursue scholarly activities. CETL staff continued to oversee management and planning for the institution's research support programs, including Funded Projects, RISE Scholarships, Student Travel Awards, and Research and Scholarly Activity Awards. Center staff also provided support to the IRB Committee and its chair. The Director of the CETL continued to oversee implementation of the institution's Quality Enhancement Plan, Enhance, Engage, Excel: Changing the Retention Paradigm at Life University. This plan seeks to engage students in co-curricular and academic resources to increase retention and completion rates.
- $2.1 million spent. College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies The Mission of the Life University College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies is to empower students to achieve successful careers and meaningful lives, based on a vitalistic philosophy that promotes optimum performance and transformational leadership, to produce a positive impact in a dynamic world. The College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies utilizes a standardized degree plan for all bachelor's degrees (180 quarter credit hours) across all programs to include general education core, foundation to major courses, major courses, and minor/elective courses. The College continues to work on increasing retention and graduation rates through targeted academic programs and services. For example, the College implemented several programs to increase the connection with students to prepare them for the workforce or further the educational journey to professional or graduate programs. This year, many partnerships with businesses and industry have been credited with facilitating this program and serving on advisory boards and internship opportunities. The Social Science Division continues to receive funding from the Laughing Gull and Sunshine Lady organizations for the continued work with the Chillon Project working with the prison population. It has also been chosen as a sub-recipient of a federal grant to the G.A.C.H.E.P. as part of the Federal Bureau of Justice Administration's Second Chance Act. Funds from this grant will launch the initiative "Expanding Pathways from Incarceration to Higher Education". The pathways program will provide on-ramps to college along with post-release reentry support to students who are incarcerated at prisons across the state. LU will partner with Georgia State University, and Common Good Atlanta to provide enrichment, transitional, and general education courses for students at four facilities. GACHEP staff will provide directed guidance to these students as they transition to enrolling in college, whether they continue their studies inside or outside of the prison. This program also sponsored "Restore HER's D.A.T.A is Life" Conference. The Conference focused on research led by women with lived experience of incarceration and promoted transparency and accountability in this arena. Online Education operates as a part of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies and seeks to provide a high-quality global online educational experience, based on a vitalistic philosophy, that maximizes each student's innate potential to pursue their goals and assume leadership roles in the workplace by applying integrity and principles of lasting purpose. Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) promotes excellence in teaching and learning at Life University by providing faculty and staff with resources, support, and professional enrichment opportunities to enhance instructional practices, integrate educational technologies, and pursue scholarly activities. CETL staff continued to oversee management and planning for the institution's research support programs, including Funded Projects, RISE Scholarships, Student Travel Awards, and Research and Scholarly Activity Awards. Center staff also provided support to the IRB Committee and its chair. The Director of the CETL continued to oversee implementation of the institution's Quality Enhancement Plan, Enhance, Engage, Excel: Changing the Retention Paradigm at Life University. This plan seeks to engage students in co-curricular and academic resources to increase retention and completion rates.
- $1.4 million spent. RESEARCH
- College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies The Mission of the Life University College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies is to empower students to achieve successful careers and meaningful lives, based on a vitalistic philosophy that promotes optimum performance and transformational leadership, to produce a positive impact in a dynamic world. The College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies utilizes a standardized degree plan for all bachelor's degrees (180 quarter credit hours) across all programs to include general education core, foundation to major courses, major courses, and minor/elective courses. The College continues to work on increasing retention and graduation rates through targeted academic programs and services. For example, the College implemented several programs to increase the connection with students to prepare them for the workforce or further the educational journey to professional or graduate programs. This year, many partnerships with businesses and industry have been credited with facilitating this program and serving on advisory boards and internship opportunities. The Social Science Division continues to receive funding from the Laughing Gull and Sunshine Lady organizations for the continued work with the Chillon Project working with the prison population. It has also been chosen as a sub-recipient of a federal grant to the G.A.C.H.E.P. as part of the Federal Bureau of Justice Administration's Second Chance Act. Funds from this grant will launch the initiative "Expanding Pathways from Incarceration to Higher Education". The pathways program will provide on-ramps to college along with post-release reentry support to students who are incarcerated at prisons across the state. LU will partner with Georgia State University, and Common Good Atlanta to provide enrichment, transitional, and general education courses for students at four facilities. GACHEP staff will provide directed guidance to these students as they transition to enrolling in college, whether they continue their studies inside or outside of the prison. This program also sponsored "Restore HER's D.A.T.A is Life" Conference. The Conference focused on research led by women with lived experience of incarceration and promoted transparency and accountability in this arena. Online Education operates as a part of the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies and seeks to provide a high-quality global online educational experience, based on a vitalistic philosophy, that maximizes each student's innate potential to pursue their goals and assume leadership roles in the workplace by applying integrity and principles of lasting purpose. Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) promotes excellence in teaching and learning at Life University by providing faculty and staff with resources, support, and professional enrichment opportunities to enhance instructional practices, integrate educational technologies, and pursue scholarly activities. CETL staff continued to oversee management and planning for the institution's research support programs, including Funded Projects, RISE Scholarships, Student Travel Awards, and Research and Scholarly Activity Awards. Center staff also provided support to the IRB Committee and its chair. The Director of the CETL continued to oversee implementation of the institution's Quality Enhancement Plan, Enhance, Engage, Excel: Changing the Retention Paradigm at Life University. This plan seeks to engage students in co-curricular and academic resources to increase retention and completion rates.
- (Expenses $ 1,352,736 including grants of $ 74,250)(Revenue $ 0) RESEARCH
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 May 1977.
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.
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.