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Mississippi College

EIN 64-0303086 · Clinton, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE IS A PRIVATE, CO-EDUCATIONAL, COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES DEDICATED TO THE PURSUIT OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. FOUNDED IN 1826, MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE IS THE OLDEST INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING AND THE LARGEST PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)

Income
$140.4 million
Spending
$130.4 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
1,570
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$390,868, president

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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% 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

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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 25

    29 of 33 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (2)
  1. $104.8 million spent. EDUCATIONAL AND GENERAL EXPENSES: INSTRUCTION IS PROVIDED TO MORE THAN 5,000 STUDENTS WITH UNDERGRADUTATE, GRADUATE AND DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AND DEGREES. THE UNIVERSITY IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION IN TEACHING AND LEARNING. TUITION AND FEE REVENUE ARE USED TO PAY SALARIES OF FACULTY AND STAFF AND PROVIDE TEACHING FACILITIES AND NECESSARY SUPPLIES. GRANTS: THE UNIVERSITY AWARDED OVER $47 MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID TO STUDENTS DURING THE 2024-2025 AID YEAR AND MADE OVER $75,000 IN GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT STUDENT MINISTRIES ON CAMPUS.
  2. $10.0 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES: THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDES A NUMBER OF SERVICES THAT SUPPORT LEARNING, BUILD COMMUNITY AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF STUDENT LIFE. THESE INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, RESIDENTIAL HOUSING, DINING, BOOKSTORE AND MAIL SERVICES.

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

  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 May 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.

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.