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Southwestern Christian University Inc

EIN 73-0599209 · Bethany, OK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SCU IS A CHRIST-CENTERED LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTION EQUIPPING STUDENTS FOR A LIFE OF LEARNING, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE; INTEGRATING FAITH, LEARNING, AND LIVING; AND EMPOWERING GRADUATES TO EXCEL AND TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR WORLD FOR JESUS CHRIST.

Income
$10.7 million
Spending
$11.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-8.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 78%
Employees
198
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$191,801, president (part year)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 94% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 25

    11 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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. $8.5 million spent. SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY IS A PRIVATE, FOUR-YEAR CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY OFFERING BOTH UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS CAN CHOOSE FROM ONE ASSOCIATE'S AND 20 BACHELOR'S DEGREE OPTIONS IN SIX ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS AND ENJOY A STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO OF 17:1. GRADUATE DEGREES INCLUDE A MASTER OF MINISTRY, A MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGICAL STUDIES, AND A MASTER OF ARTS IN CHRISTIAN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP.
  2. $813,999 spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES - SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY OFFERS ONSITE DORM ROOMS PLUS CAFETERIA FOR ONSITE STUDENTS AND COMMUTER STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 July 2014.

    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.