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Saint Leo University Inc

EIN 59-1237047 · Saint Leo, FL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAINT LEO IS AN INVENTIVE GLOBAL CATHOLIC LIBERAL ARTS UNIVERSITY THATFOSTERS A PERSONAL & INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY WHICH EDUCATES, PREPARES, &DEVELOPS STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS, AND CONSISTS OF DIVERSE LEARNERS WHOBOLDLY CONFRONT THE CHALLENGES OF OUR WORLD THROUGH SERVICE TO OTHERS.

Income
$145.7 million
Spending
$147.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
1,881
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$400,450, president (thru 02/25)

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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 25

    28 of 28 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (2)
  1. $101.1 million spent. AS THE OLDEST CATHOLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN FLORIDA AND ONE OF THE TOP UNIVERSITIES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY HAS A CENTURY-LONG TRADITION OF WELCOMING STUDENTS OF ALL FAITHS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE SCHEDULE O.OUR LIBERAL ARTS CAMPUS, LOCATED 30 MILES NORTH OF TAMPA, EDUCATES JUST UNDER 2,250 STUDENTS. TOTAL ENROLLMENT ACROSS OUR CENTRAL FLORIDA CAMPUS, 13 REGIONAL LOCATIONS, AND ONLINE PROGRAMS IS NEARLY 9,550 WITH A TOTAL OF NEARLY 160 PROGRAMS. SAINT LEO OFFERS OVER 70 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES, PROGRAMS AND ENDORSEMENTS AS WELL AS MASTER'S, DOCTORAL AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCES, AND ALLIED SERVICES, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES, COLLEGE OF COMPUTING, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ROBOTICS, AND DATA SCIENCE (CARDS), AND THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS. THE PUBLICATION DIVERSE ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION RANKS SAINT LEO AMONG ITS TOP 100 INSTITUTIONS GRADUATING MINORITY STUDENTS WITH BACCALAUREATE DEGREES. WE'RE A SMALL SCHOOL, BUT WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY DIVERSE STUDENT BODY COMPOSED OF 41% STUDENTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED POPULATIONS. SAINT LEO SERVES STUDENTS FROM ALL 50 STATES, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THREE U.S. TERRITORIES AND OVER 100 FOREIGN COUNTRIES. SAINT LEO IS ALSO ONE OF THE NATION'S LEADING PROVIDERS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO THE U.S. MILITARY.TODAY CLOSE TO 1580 MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES, VETERANS, AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ENROLLED IN SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY DEGREE PROGRAMS. OUR ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WORLDWIDE EARN AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE UNIVERSITY DEGREES THROUGH OUR TRADITIONAL FLORIDA CAMPUS, EXTENSIVE ONLINE PROGRAM OFFERINGS AND EDUCATION CENTERS ON MILITARY BASES IN THE SOUTHERN U.S. SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY IS RANKED IN TOP 10 IN THE SOUTH FOR BEST C0LLEGE FOR VETERANS BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT.
  2. $19.1 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES OF THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDE CERTAIN CUSTOMARYSERVICES SUCH AS HOUSING, FOOD SERVICE, AND VARIOUS STUDENT ACTIVITIESFOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY. TRADITIONAL CAMPUSSTUDENTS COMPRISED NEARLY 3,000 FOR THE FY25 FISCAL YEAR.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2005.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.