Tusculum University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Building on a rich Presbyterian heritage and a pioneering spirit, Tusculum University provides an active and experiential education within a caring Christian environment to inspire civic engagement, enrich personal lives, and equip career-ready professionals.
- Income
- $36.8 million
- Spending
- $42.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- -14.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 79%
- Employees
- 550
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $424,439, 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: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% 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
5 of 20It owes 56% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 25% 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
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 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 (3)
- $28.8 million spent. Tusculum University provided formal instruction and related academic support for over 1000 full-time equivalent students toward the fulfillment of Associate and Bachelor of Science and Associate and Bachelor of Art degrees, along with Master degrees in a variety of fields of study. The academic program challenges students to innovate, engage, experiment, and persevere as they discover their purpose. Along their educational journey, they are encouraged, empowered, supported, and inspired through a pioneer spirit. Most students receive generous financial support through a variety of scholarship programs. The instructional classrooms are small, which enables faculty to provide individual attention where needed. Strong personal relationships create life-long friendships and support. Academic services are provided through the library and technology resources, testing resources, career services, tutoring, workshops, counseling, and special academic accommodations. Labs are available on an ongoing basis. Personal counseling services are available by licensed clinical social workers.
- $5.0 million spent. Auxiliary services were provided to the population of students, as Tusculum University remains primarily a residential campus. Housing and meals were provided.
- A variety of services were provided to students through many programs and offices, including intramural sports, general athletics, spiritual life, the student lounge, Admissions, Financial Aid, the Registrar, Business Office, and Dean of Students, as well as others. Campus employment and internships were available for eligible students, providing financial resources and valuable work experiences, preparing students that are career-ready.
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 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 June 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 February 1934.
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.
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.