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William Carey University

EIN 64-0329300 · Hattiesburg, 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

William Carey University provides a quality education challenging students to excel in scholarship, leadership, and service in a caring community rooted in Christian values and its Baptist namesake.

Income
$125.1 million
Spending
$108.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
1,378
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$557,329, professor of clinical sciences and dean of college of osteopathic medicine

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: 61 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% 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: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 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)
  1. $65.3 million spent. ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THE UNIVERSITY MAINTAINS UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS AT THREE SITES. ENROLLMENT HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE AN AVERAGE OF OVER 5,500 STUDENTS PER SESSION. THE UNIVERSITY DESIGNS AND OPERATES ITS PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE EACH STUDENT TO DEVELOP HIS/HER HIGHEST POTENTIAL IN LIBERAL ARTS AND/OR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION.
  2. $19.8 million spent. STUDENT AID DIRECT AID TO STUDENTS PRIMARILY FROM INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
  3. $9.8 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES INCLUDE DINING, HOUSING, AND ATHLETICS. AUXILIARY PROGRAMS PROVIDE HOUSING AND DINING SERVICES FOR THE STUDENTS WHO NEED OR WANT TO LIVE ON CAMPUS. THE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE LOYALTY TO THE UNIVERSITY AND A SENSE OF UNITY AMONG STUDENTS AND FACULTY. IN PROVIDING THESE PROGRAMS, THE UNIVERSITY ENCOURAGES THE EXERCISE OF STUDENT TALENT, WHICH ENHANCES THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES OF THE STUDENTS INVOLVED.

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 October 13, 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 March 1973.

    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 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.