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Trinity University

EIN 74-1109633 · San Antonio, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TRINITY UNIVERSITY IS AN INDEPENDENT CO-EDUCATIONAL UNIVERSITY WHOSE MISSION IS EXCELLENCE IN THE INTERRELATED AREAS OF TEACHING, RESEARCH AND SERVICES.

Income
$350.5 million
Spending
$292.2 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
17.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
2,360
Volunteers
38
Highest pay
$1.2 million, chief investment officer

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.4 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 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    37 of 37 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

    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 (1)
  1. $233.4 million spent. Trinity University, one of the nation's top private undergraduate institutions, is known for its superior academic quality, personalized attention with outstanding faculty, exceptional resources, real-world preparation, and vibrant campus life. Trinity is a community that encourages students to discover, grow, and become passionate, productive individuals. The University's principal focus is on undergraduate education, but it also offers selected graduate programs in professional fields. In addition, the University provides various research and other sponsored projects as well as public service programs of continuing education, intellectual enlightenment, and cultural enrichment. The University attracts talented and highly motivated students to its predominantly full-time, residential student body. Enrollment was 2,595 annual students for FY25 which represents the full-time equivalent of undergraduate and graduate students; 4.8% of these students come from outside the United States and 78% are from within Texas. The University received 12,506 first-year undergraduate applications for fall 2025 with an acceptance rate of 26%. The University's yield was 20%, generating enrollment of 650 first-year students. Student charges (net tuition, fees, room and board) were $88 million. Total scholarships and grants were $82.6 million. The source of funding for these scholarships includes operating funds, endowment funds and external grants and contribution revenue. Scholarship and student aid expenses continue to grow, reflecting the University's commitment to providing access to a broad spectrum of students and increased market competition in recent years. Although student tuition continues to increase, net student revenues are growing at a significantly slower pace in recent years due to the increased number of students receiving financial aid and the increase in the average aid package per student. Trinity University completed another strong year in pursuit of its mission to educate and mold the leaders of the future in a residential liberal arts environment. The University is well positioned to complete its robust strategic vision of defining the liberal arts experience for the 21st century.

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 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 May 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 February 1971.

    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.