Southern Methodist University
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The primary mission of the University is education through research and teaching by creating and imparting knowledge that will shape citizens who contribute to their communities and lead professions in a global society.
- Income
- $1.2 billion
- Spending
- $1.1 billion
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- -4.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 71%
- Employees
- 6,538
- Volunteers
- 3,204
- Highest pay
- $7.6 million, head basketball coach -current
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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2539 of 42 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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
Reports results. Its tax return states measurable results. These are its own figures and nobody has checked them.
Results it reports
- Student enrollment for Fall Semester was 12,129.Work delivered
- Student enrollment for Spring Semester was 11,858.Work delivered
Read from the return by an AI model and shown only where the wording was found in the return. These are the charity's own figures.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $513.8 million spent. Instructional: Instructional programs include academic instruction and services for undergraduate and graduate students including financial aid in the form of scholarships and fellowships. Student enrollment for Fall Semester 2024 was 12,129 and Spring Semester 2025 was 11,858. (Expenses $ 51,915,733 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 62,251,837) Organized Activities: Organized activities make available to the public various resources that exist within the University such as seminars, conferences and camps. It also includes auxiliiary activities that support educational activities such as bookstore, student housing, vending and food administration and independent operations.
- $334.8 million spent. Student Services : This category includes athletic expenditures and services that support educational activities. Services includes the offices of admissions and registrar. It encompasses student activities, organizations, athletics, counseling and guidance and admissions and records.
- $76.8 million spent. Sponsored Research: Sponsored research includes expenditures for all activities that are part of the University's research program, including activities specifically organized to produce research outcomes, whether commissioned by an agency external to the institution or separately budgeted by an organizational unit within the institution. (Expenses $ 51,915,733 including grants of $ 0)(Revenue $ 62,251,837) Organized Activities: Organized activities make available to the public various resources that exist within the University such as seminars, conferences and camps. It also includes auxiliiary activities that support educational activities such as bookstore, student housing, vending and food administration and independent operations.
- $51.9 million spent. Organized Activities: Organized activities make available to the public various resources that exist within the University such as seminars, conferences and camps. It also includes auxiliiary activities that support educational activities such as bookstore, student housing, vending and food administration and independent operations.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1933.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.