University of Western States
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 183 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The mission of the University of Western States is to advance the science and art of integrated health care through excellence in education and patient care.
- Income
- $29.1 million
- Spending
- $30.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 13.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 94%
- Employees
- 394
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $1.7 million, corporate 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: 63 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.6 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 40% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 183 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (diseases, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 12 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
7 of 7Has a 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
- $22.7 million spent. See Schedule OUniversity of Western States (UWS) is a private nonprofit, fully accredited professional university located in Portland, Oregon. The mission of UWS is to advance the science and art of integrated health care through excellence in education and patient care. This is accomplished through offering a variety of health and wellness educational programs incorporating a whole-person philosophy of health care. UWS provides integrated, evidence-informed curricula, grounded in dedication to research and practices. The commitments span all academic programs and degrees including a professional Doctor of Chiropractic and Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, a Master of Science in Sports Medicine, a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a Master of Science and Doctor of Education in Sport Performance and a Doctor of Education in Sport and Performance Psychology with Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization. UWS also provides continuing education programs and operates clinics where students develop their diagnostic and clinical skills.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1950.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: University of Western Ontario (Canada), EIN 98-6001623. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 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.