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University of the South

EIN 62-0475697 · Sewanee, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to the development of the whole person through a liberal arts education of the highest quality. The School of Theology educates women and men to serve the broad whole of the Episcopal Church in ordained and lay vocations.

Income
$246.1 million
Spending
$193.8 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
2,150
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$628,437, vice chancellor/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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    166 of 171 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 (4)
  1. $108.6 million spent. INSTRUCTION: IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, STUDENTS WORK CLOSELY WITH DISTINGUISHED AND DIVERSE FACULTY IN A DEMANDING COURSE OF HUMANE AND SCIENTIFIC STUDY THAT PREPARES THEM FOR LIVES OF ACHIEVEMENT AND SERVICE. A STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO OF 11:1 ENABLES CLOSE STUDENT-FACULTY INTERACTION IN THE CLASSROOM AND ALLOWS FOR FACULTY GUIDANCE IN STUDENT RESEARCH.
  2. $26.7 million spent. HOUSING AND AUXILIARY SERVICES: THE COLLEGE IS A RESIDENTIAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE. ROOM AND BOARD PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONVERSATION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. BESIDES TRADITIONAL RESIDENCE DORMITORIES, STUDENTS MAY ALSO CHOOSE TO LIVE IN A THEME HOUSE WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER STUDENTS WITH A COMMON INTEREST.
  3. $22.3 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: A WIDE RANGE OF CO-CURRICULAR AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO COMPLEMENT THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AND SUPPORT STUDENT LIFE. MORE THAN A HUNDRED ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS FACILITATE SOCIAL INTERACTION BETWEEN STUDENTS AND BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THE BROADER SEWANEE COMMUNITY.
  4. $12.8 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: OTHER PROGRAM EXPENSES ARE PRIMARILY COMPRISED OF EXPENSES RELATED TO FACULTY RESEARCH ACTIVITIES, PUBLIC SERVICE, AND OF EXPENSES RELATED TO PLANT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1947.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.

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