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Southwestern University

EIN 74-1233796 · Georgetown, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, IS COMMITTED TO UNDERGRADUATE LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION INVOLVING BOTH THE STUDY OF AND PARTICIPATION IN SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE, EXPRESSED PRIMARILY THROUGH THE ARTS, THE SCIENCES, THE INSTITUTIONS, AND THE PROFESSIONS OF SOCIETY. SEE SCHEDULE O FORM 990, PART 1, LINE 1 NOTE FOR SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S COMPLETE MISSION.

Income
$132.0 million
Spending
$125.3 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
1,243
Volunteers
941
Highest pay
$900,373, trustee & president

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. 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 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    35 of 36 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 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. $77.9 million spent. INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: THE UNIVERSITY'S PRIMARY MISSION IS FOSTERING A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY OF THE HIGHEST CALIBER. THE UNIVERSITY SEEKS TO DEVELOP A COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS IN BOTH ITS FACULTY AND STUDENT BODY THAT IS SELF-CRITICAL AND TOUGH-MINDED, AND THAT MAINTAINS RIGOROUS ACADEMIC STANDARDS. THOUGH ITS PAIDEIA PROGRAM, THE UNIVERSITY TRANSCENDS CONVENTIONAL APPROACHES TO TEACHING AND LEARNING THROUGH A STUDENT-DRIVEN, FACULTY-LED EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZES INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY, PROMOTES CONNECTIONS BETWEEN ACADEMIC COURSES, OFFERS INTERCULTURAL AND DIVERSITY EXPERIENCES, ENCOURAGES CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND SUPPORTS COLLABORATIVE OR GUIDED RESEARCH AND CREATIVE WORKS. FOR THE YEAR, THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 1,500 STUDENTS IN ITS ACADEMIC INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS. MOST OF THE UNIVERSITY'S ENROLLMENT IS TRADITIONAL COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS, AND FOR THE FALL 2024 SEMESTER, 98.8% WERE ENROLLED FULL-TIME (12 OR MORE CREDIT HOURS FOR THE SEMESTER). THE STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO WAS APPROXIMATELY 11:1 IN THE CURRENT YEAR. APPROXIMATELY 98% OF STUDENTS RECEIVED INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. APPROXIMATELY 56% OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS RECEIVED NEED-BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
  2. $13.7 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES: THE UNIVERSITY SEEKS TO SUPPORT ITS PRIMARY ACADEMIC MISSION THROUGH ROBUST STUDENT SERVICES FOR ITS PRIMARILY RESIDENTIAL LIBERAL ARTS CAMPUS. STUDENT SERVICES INCLUDE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, STUDENT ACTIVITIES, RESIDENTIAL LIFE ADMINISTRATION, CAREER COUNSELING SERVICES, STUDENT HEALTH AND COUNSELING SERVICES, NCAA III ATHLETICS, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, AND OTHER SERVICES VITAL TO SUPPORT A RESIDENTIAL ACADEMIC COMMUNITY OF THE HIGHEST CALIBER AND QUALITY.
  3. $11.7 million spent. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES INCLUDE STUDENT RESIDENTIAL CENTER OPERATION AND FOOD SERVICE OPERATIONS. FOR THIS ACADEMIC YEAR, APPROXIMATELY 68.8% OF THE STUDENT BODY LIVED ON CAMPUS IN RESIDENTIAL CENTERS. RESIDENTIAL CENTERS INCLUDE LIVING/LEARNING CENTERS WHICH INTEGRATE CLASSROOM AND OTHER EXPERIENCES INTO THE RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT. FOOD SERVICES IS PROVIDED PRIMARILY FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON RESIDENTIAL STUDENT USAGE, FACULTY, STAFF, AND GUESTS OF THE UNIVERSITY. AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES EXPENSES INCLUDE DEPRECIATION, INTEREST, AND PHYSICAL PLANT EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS.

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 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 June 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 January 1971.

    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.