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University of the Southwest

EIN 85-0164940 · Hobbs, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTHWEST IS A CHRIST-CENTERED EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO DEVELOPING MEN AND WOMEN FOR A LIFETIME OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP BY EMPHASIZING FAITH, RESPONSIBILITY, AND INITIATIVE.

Income
$21.8 million
Spending
$18.4 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
158
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$330,793, 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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

    16 of 17 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. $6.3 million spent. USW OFFERS GRADUATE LEVEL PROGRAMS IN THE FIELDS OF BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND ARTS AND SCIENCES. DEGREES OFFERED INCLUDE MBA, DBA, MSE, EDD, MS, MA, AND DMIN. THE USW COLLEGE OF BUSINESS FUNCTIONS AS AN EDUCATIONAL CATALYST FOR POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE BY DEVELOPING BUSINESS LEADERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND EXECUTIVES DEDICATED TO APPLYING SERVANT LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES IN FREE ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS. THE USW COLLEGE OF EDUCATION MISSION IS TO IMMERSE CANDIDATES IN AUTHENTIC PROFESSIONAL LEARNING THROUGH A RIGOROUS AND INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM THAT LEVERAGES THEIR STRENGHTS AND EMPOWERS THEM TO BE REFLECTIVE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO EQUITY AND SERVING THEIR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES FROM AN ASSET-BASED PERSPECTIVE. THE USW COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY EDUCATION IN A WIDE RANGE OF ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES TO OFFER A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE, MEANING, PURPOSE, AND KNOWLEDGE WHILE DEVELOPING ANALYTICAL AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS ON A PATH TO BEING SERVANT LEADERS IN THEIR VOCATIONS.
  2. $5.7 million spent. USW OFFERS UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL PROGRAMS IN THE FIELDS OF BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND ARTS AND SCIENCES. DEGREES OFFERED INCLUDE BBA, BSE, BS, AND BA. TO COMPLEMENT THE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS, STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL, ACADEMIC HONOR, CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, CIVIC, AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES. THE UNIVERSITY ALSO SUPPORTS INTRAMURAL SPORTS PROGRAMMING WHERE STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FACULTY ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE. ATHLETIC PROGRAMMING INCLUDES: BASEBALL, SOFTBALL, MENS AND WOMENS BASKETBALL, MENS AND WOMENS SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL, CROSS COUNTRY, AND GOLF. AS A UNIVERSITY GROUNDED IN CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES, USW OFFERS A PRISON SEMINARY PROGRAM FOR INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO PURSUE AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE MEANT TO PREPARE THE INDIVIDUAL TO EFFECT POSITIVE COMMUNITY CHANGE THROUGH BEST PRACTICES IN LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION, ETHICS, AND CHRISTIAN STUDIES.
  3. $1.8 million spent. RESIDENCE HALLS, APARTMENTS, AND STUDENT MEAL PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE PRIMARILY FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.

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 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 May 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 1960.

    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.