Florida Southern College
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE (FLORIDA SOUTHERN OR THE COLLEGE) IS COMMITTED TO EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND IS A SELECTIVE COMPREHENSIVE, PRIVATE, UNITED METHODIST AFFILIATED COLLEGE WITH A STRONG LIBERAL ARTS CORE AND SIGNATURE PROGRAMS. (SEE SCHEDULE O.)THE COLLEGE ENROLLS A TALENTED STUDENT BODY AND INCLUDES AN ACCOMPLISHED FACULTY WHO ARE DEDICATED TO TEACHING EXCELLENCE. OUTSTANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENGAGED LEARNING, STUDENT-FACULTY COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH AND PERFORMANCE, SERVICE LEARNING, STUDY ABROAD, AND HONORS STUDY ARE DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN. THE COLLEGE OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT LIFE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING A CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETIC PROGRAM.
- Income
- $188.2 million
- Spending
- $176.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- -1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 83%
- Employees
- 1,694
- Volunteers
- 175
- Highest pay
- $538,004, president (thru 07/2024)
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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 13% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2534 of 34 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 (1)
- $154.1 million spent. FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE IS A PRIVATE, COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE DEDICATED TO TEACHING EXCELLENCE IN 60 PROGRAMS OF STUDY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. THE COLLEGE OFFERS 16 MASTER DEGREE PROGRAMS IN BUSINESS, EDUCATION, NURSING AND PSYCHOLOGY, ALONG WITH FOUR DOCTORATE PROGRAMS IN EDUCATION, NURSING, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY. THE COLLEGE IS ACCREDITED BY THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS COMMISSION ON COLLEGES. IN 2024, THE COLLEGE WELCOMED A FRESHMAN CLASS OF 762 AS PART OF THE INSTITUTION'S 2,605 FULL-TIME TRADITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE POPULATION, REPRESENTING 47 STATES AND 46 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES. NOTABLY, 81% OF THESE STUDENTS RESIDE IN CAMPUS HOUSING. MORE THAN 99% RECEIVE SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING 36% WHO RECEIVE PELL GRANTS. (SEE SCHEDULE O.)FLORIDA SOUTHERN IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION. OUR ENGAGED LEARNING PEDAGOGY CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO DEEPEN THEIR LEARNING AND EXPLORE THEIR POTENTIAL. WE ARE PROUD TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO APPLY THEIR LEARNING THROUGH STUDENT-FACULTY COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH, STUDENT MUSICAL PERFORMANCES, SERVICE LEARNING, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, INTERNSHIPS, AND STUDY-ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES. THE COLLEGE'S INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF INCLUDES 165 FULL TIME FACULTY, CONTRIBUTING TO A SUPPORTIVE ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT WITH A 14:1 STUDENT FACULTY RATIO. FACULTY CREDENTIALS ARE EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE, WITH 78% HOLDING TERMINAL DEGREES IN THEIR FIELDS.FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE EMPHASIZES WHOLE-STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS INTELLECTUAL, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, AND SOCIAL GROWTH. IN ADDITION TO CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SERVICE LEARNING, CAMPUS MINISTRY, ATHLETICS, PERFORMING ARTS, AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE GUIDED BY TRAINED PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND ARE INTEGRATED INTO THE COLLEGE'S EDUCATIONAL MISSION.FLORIDA SOUTHERN CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ACADEMIC QUALITY AND INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS. THE COLLEGE IS REGULARLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINCETON REVIEW'S BEST COLLEGES, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, COLLEGES OF DISTINCTION, AND THE FISKE GUIDE TO COLLEGES. THE COLLEGE HAS ALSO BEEN RECOGNIZED BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT AMONG "BEST VALUE SCHOOLS, AND BY MONEY MAGAZINE FOR EDUCATIONAL VALUE AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT.THE BARNEY BARNETT SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND FREE ENTERPRISE HOLDS AACSB ACCREDITATION AND HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY BUSINESS JOURNALS, INCLUDING POETS&QUANTS, CEO MAGAZINE, AND BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK. ITS MBA PROGRAM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A TIER ONE PROGRAM AND INCLUDED IN NATIONAL RANKINGS OF ONLINE MBA PROGRAMS. THE ANN BLANTON EDWARDS SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES AND THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION HAVE ALSO RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION THROUGH U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT'S GRADUATE PROGRAM RANKINGS.THE COLLEGE'S 120-ACRE CAMPUS SUPPORTS ITS ACADEMIC AND CO-CURRICULAR MISSION THROUGH ACADEMIC BUILDINGS, RESIDENCE HALLS, ATHLETIC FACILITIES, STUDENT LIFE AND ACTIVITY SPACES, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, STUDENT SUPPORT AND LEARNING CENTERS, A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, AUDITORIA FOR CAMPUS PROGRAMMING, CHAPELS FOR CAMPUS MINISTRIES, AND MAINTENANCE AND WORKSHOP FACILITIES. THE COLLEGE ALSO OWNS AND OPERATES NEARBY APARTMENT COMPLEXES USED FOR STUDENT HOUSING.FLORIDA SOUTHERN'S CAMPUS HAS RECEIVED NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE AND CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING RANKINGS AMONG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CAMPUSES IN THE NATION.
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 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 May 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 June 1941.
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.
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