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Hardin-Simmons University

EIN 75-0808791 · Abilene, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY IS TO BE A COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION ENLIGHTENED BY CHRISTIAN FAITH AND VALUES.

Income
$82.4 million
Spending
$90.5 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 72%
Employees
968
Volunteers
339
Highest pay
$479,257, 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    36 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 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 (4)
  1. $49.8 million spent. FOR MORE THAN 135 YEARS, HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY (HSU) HAS BEEN PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, ENLIGHTENED BY CHRISTIAN FAITH AND VALUES. HSU'S 200 ACRE CAMPUS PROVIDES A FAMILY-STYLE COMMUNITY TO MORE THAN 1,200 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND OVER 350 GRADUATE AND DOCTORAL STUDENTS. THROUGH ITS SEVEN ACADEMIC DIVISIONS, HSU OFFERS MORE THAN 50 UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS AND MINORS AS WELL AS APPROXIMATELY 10 GRADUATE DEGREES.
  2. $15.1 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES SUPPORT A CAMPUS LIFE THAT FOSTERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTELLECTUAL, SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS MISSION IS MET THROUGH SERVICES SUCH AS ADMISSIONS, ACADEMIC CLUBS, INTRAMURAL SPORTS, FINANCIAL AID, COUNSELING, TUTORING, CAREER SERVICES, ADVISING, HSU'S POLICE DEPARTMENT, FITNESS CENTER, RESIDENCE LIFE, AND SPORTS WHICH PARTICIPATE IN THE NCAA DIVISION III.
  3. $11.8 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES PROVIDE SERVICES TO STUDENTS TO LIVE ON CAMPUS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE RESIDENCE HALLS, APARTMENTS, CAMPUS HOUSES, DINING SERVICES, BOOK STORE AND CUSTODIAL SERVICES.
  4. $1.6 million spent. HARDIN-SIMMONS UNIVERSITY PROVIDES ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR INSTRUCTION WHICH INCLUDES THE LIBRARY. THIS SUPPORTS THE MISSION OF LEARNING AND RESEARCH AND IS ALSO A RESOURCE TO THE COMMUNITY.

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 November 6, 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 December 1935.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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