Nova Southeastern University Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Nova Southeastern University-a selective, doctoral research university-is to deliver academic programs in a dynamic, innovative environment. We foster academic excellence, leadership, integrity (continued on Schedule O) and scientific, economic, and community contributions through engaging and empowering our students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners.
- Income
- $1.1 billion
- Spending
- $998.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 2.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 89%
- Employees
- 9,197
- Volunteers
- 1,702
- Highest pay
- $1.8 million, president/ceo through 1/1/2025
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 39% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% 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 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 24 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
Reports results. Its tax return states measurable results. These are its own figures and nobody has checked them.
Results it reports
- NSU offers degree and certificate programs to more than 20,000 full-time and part-time students.Work delivered
- 445 physicians (D.O. and M.D. combined) graduated.Change achieved
- More than 250 research projects are under way.Work delivered
Read from the return by an AI model and shown only where the wording was found in the return. These are the charity's own figures.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $439.0 million spent. Instructional Services: Nova Southeastern University (NSU) offers undergraduate degrees, graduate and first professional degrees, and certificate programs to more than 20,000 full-time and part-time students in a wide range of academic programs. In addition to the main Fort Lauderdale/Davie and Oceanographic Campuses in South Florida, courses are taught at 9 regional campuses located across Florida, in Puerto Rico, and Colorado; and at limited sites in other states and foreign countries. The NSU University School offers innovative primary and secondary education to children from preschool through grade 12.(continued on Schedule O)NSU has 15 colleges and schools (fiscal 2025): Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice; College of Dental Medicine; College of Computing and Engineering; College of Optometry; Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy; College of Psychology; Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine; Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine; Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences; Farquhar Honors College; H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship; Halmos College of Arts and Sciences; Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing; Shepard Broad College of Law; and the NSU University School. NSU has over 130 academic degree programs, with approximately 65 percent graduate and professional students and 35 percent undergraduate students. Courses are offered in multiple locations and modalities. As part of the university's strategic initiatives, it has continued to invest in high-demand and industry-relevant programs with growth potential, such as expansion within healthcare programs. NSU is the largest educator of physicians in Florida and 5th in the nation. With eight healthcare-related colleges offering a broad array of programs, NSU is the top producer of healthcare providers in the state and nationally, meeting critical needs in the industry. NSU is one of only three universities in the United States to offer both a D.O. and M.D. program. In fiscal 2025, NSU graduated 445 physicians (D.O. and M.D. graduates combined).NSU has leveraged and supported its strengths in graduate and professional education while growing its undergraduate population. For example, the university's distinctive Dual Admission Program provides highly motivated undergraduate students with the opportunity to reserve a seat in selective graduate/professional programs while earning their bachelor's degree. This unique program has continued to attract academically highly qualified students, supporting strategic goals for enhanced student quality, experience, and outcomes. Other examples include innovative accelerated tracks that provide a faster path to earning both a bachelor's and advanced degree.In April 2025, NSU earned a Carnegie Classification as an Opportunity College and University, a first-time designation that recognizes institutions that foster student success by examining whether they enroll students who reflect their communities and whether graduates go on to earn competitive wages compared to peers in their area. Only 16 percent of U.S. colleges and universities received this designation.
- $117.8 million spent. Academic Support: This comprises functions that directly support the university's primary service mission of instruction, such as the university's library system and art museum. The university libraries include the Martin and Gail Press Health Professions Division Library; the Panza Maurer Law Library; the Oceanographic Campus Library; the NSU University School Media Center; and the Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center. Buildings within the university library system offer wireless access and a variety of study spaces, including group and individual study rooms, collaborative workspaces, individual study carrels, and designated quiet study spaces. At 325,000 square feet, (continued on Schedule O)the Alvin Sherman Library is among the largest library buildings in the Southeastern United States. It also hosts the Write from the Start Writing and Communication Center, Farquhar Honors College, and the Alan B. Levan | NSU Broward Center of Innovation.
- $87.8 million spent. Auxiliary Enterprises: Nova Southeastern University's NSU Health is a patient centric, integrated health care network built on a foundation of education, research, and the highest quality patient care.NSU Health has many outpatient facilities and provides care in medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, and mental health services, including family therapy. There are also specialty services available, such as audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology. In addition to the health care facilities on the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus, NSU Health provides services to the surrounding community. (continued on Schedule O)The Don Taft University Center is a more than 325,000-square-foot facility featuring three NCAA competition courts, group fitness and instruction rooms, cardio and weight training areas, squash courts, a rock climbing wall, and the Flight Deck Pub. The Performing and Visual Arts Wing of the Don Taft University Center includes state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities that support the art, dance, music, and theatre majors of the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts (DCMA) at the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences.In March 2025, NSU celebrated the opening of the NSU Health Cathy J. Husman ALS Center, providing specialty care for patients diagnosed with ALS, located within NSU's Center for Collaborative Research.Fiscal 2025 also included the renewal and expansion of the university's chiller plants and associated infrastructure; improvements to fields and other athletic amenities; dining facility expansion; residence hall remodel; and renovations of certain administrative, clinical, and regional campus facilities.
- $199.0 million spent. More than 250 research projects are currently under way at NSU,including studies on cardiovascular disease, anticancer therapies,chronic fatigue syndrome, autism, coral reef restoration, stem cells,and wildlife DNA forensics, among other subjects. The Center forCollaborative Research (CCR) consists of 215,000 square feet ofresearch and collaborative spaces. This project is registered with theU.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the first NSU facility toachieve a LEED certification level of Gold. The facility houses corefacilities including Genomics, Flow Cytometry, Cell Therapy andImaging. The CCR brings multiple disciplines together, with studentsand NSU faculty members partnering with professionals and organizationsoutside of the NSU community-furthering cutting-edge research anddeveloping technologies that will benefit the global community. In 2025, NSU was recognized by the Carnegie Classificationsystem as one of only 21 universities nationwide to hold allthree of the following designations: Very High Research Activity(R1), Community Engaged Institution, and Opportunity College& University (OCU). Its R1 classification places NSU among thetop tier of U.S. research universities, a milestone that reflectsits continued growth and commitment to research that leads toreal-world impact. As an R1 institution, NSU is shining a newlight on scientific discovery, medical breakthroughs, andtechnologies that advance quality of life: from pioneeringtreatments in neuro-immunology and cancer, to safeguardingcoral reefs and strengthening cybersecurity.
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 1965.
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.