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Texas Lutheran University

EIN 74-1109748 · Seguin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS A COMMUNITY OF FAITH AND LEARNING, TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY EMPOWERS A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY THROUGH AN EDUCATION CENTERED ON THE LIBERAL ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION OF MISSION STATEMENT.

Income
$70.1 million
Spending
$72.8 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-4.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
852
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$299,443, 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: 54 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 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    31 of 31 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 (3)
  1. $44.8 million spent. INSTRUCTION (WHICH INCLUDES ALL EXPENSES FOR TEACHING) AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT (WHICH INCLUDES ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT TEACHING). TLU IS AN INDEPENDENT INSTITUTION OF THE LIBERAL ARTS, SCIENCES, AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES WITH A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY OF APPROXIMATELY 1,400 STUDENTS. TLU ALSO OFFERS A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING, A MASTER'S DEGREE IN ATHLETIC TRAINING, A MASTER'S DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, A MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION, A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS ANALYTICS, A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DATA SCIENCE, AN ACCELERATED BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE IN NURSING, A MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING (DIRECT-ENTRY), AND A DOCTOR OF EDUCATION. CLASSES AVERAGE FEWER THAN 20 STUDENTS. APPROXIMATELY 95% OF TLU STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
  2. $10.4 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES INCLUDE EXPENSES THAT HELP FOSTER STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT STUDENT NEEDS THROUGH VARIOUS AVENUES SUCH AS FINANCIAL AID SERVICES, CAREER SERVICES CENTER, HEALTH SERVICES, ATHLETICS, CAMPUS MINISTRY, CULTURAL EVENTS, GUEST SPEAKERS, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, AND VARIOUS ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN.
  3. $6.2 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES INCLUDE THE OPERATION OF THE DINING HALL, RESIDENCE HALLS, AND CAMPUS BOOKSTORE AS WELL AS THE NET SALE OF INVENTORY FROM THE CAMPUS BOOKSTORE.

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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for churches. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 April 1988.

    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.