Biola University Inc
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.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
BIOLA UNIVERSITY IS A PRIVATE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY LOCATED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. FOR OVER 116 YEARS, BIOLA HAS STOOD OUT AS AN INSTITUTION GROUNDED ON BIBLICALLY CENTERED EDUCATION, INTENTIONAL SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, AND CAREER PREPARATION, (SEE SCH O)WHERE ALL FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS ARE PROFESSING CHRISTIANS. WITH MORE THAN 145 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THROUGH ITS SIX SCHOOLS, BIOLA OFFERS DEGREES RANGING FROM BACHELOR OF ARTS TO DOCTORAL DEGREE.
- Income
- $257.5 million
- Spending
- $242.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
- Employees
- 3,248
- Volunteers
- 27
- Highest pay
- $649,271, 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 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 26% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 26 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
0 of 10Did not give 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (6)
- $39.5 million spent. SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH:THE VISION OF THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH AT BIOLA UNIVERSITY IS TO EQUIP A NEW GENERATION OF ETHICALLY THOUGHTFUL PROFESSIONALS IN THE SCIENCES AND HEALTH CARE, GROUNDED IN A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW, EDUCATED IN AN ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS ENVIRONMENT, READY TO ASSUME POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP, AND ABLE TO PROVIDE THE CLEAR MORAL VISION THE WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS. THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH OFFERS 16 BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM AND 3 MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMS, AND A SELECTION OF 10 MINORS. DEGREES AVAILABLE INCLUDE B.S. IN NURSING, B.S. IN KINESIOLOGY, B.S. IN CHEMISTRY, B.S. IN ROBOTICS, AND B.S. IN ENGINEERING PHYSICS. THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH ALSO OFFERS THE STEWART SCIENCE HONORS PROGRAM WHICH IS A HIGHLY SELECTIVE HONORS PROGRAM THAT IS ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS AND IS GUIDED BY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY.AS OF FALL 2024, THE SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, & HEALTH'S ENROLLMENT IS 1,014 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 80 MASTERS STUDENTS.
- $27.6 million spent. AUXILIARY SERVICES:AUXILIARY SERVICES SERVES THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY THROUGH THE BIOLA STORE, CONFERENCE SERVICES, DINING SERVICES, THE PRINT SHOP, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, AND STUDENT TRANSPORTATION. AUXILIARY SERVICES OFFERS CONFERENCE SERVICES FOR YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, CHURCHES, SPORTS CAMPS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND OTHER EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONS. THERE ARE SIX EATERIES AVAILABLE ON BIOLA UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS, INCLUDING CAF BIOLA WHICH IS THE MAIN DINING FACILITY, EAGLES' NEST, AND THE HERITAGE CAF. RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES INCLUDE 10 RESIDENCE HALLS AND SEVEN APARTMENT BUILDINGS OFFERED AS HOUSING TO UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS.
- $25.1 million spent. STUDENT SERVICES:STUDENT SERVICES INCLUDES STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS. THIS INCLUDES A VARIETY OF STUDENT SUPPORT, SUCH AS STUDENT COMMUNICATIONS, TITLE IX ADMINISTRATION, STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND WELLNESS, HOUSING PERSONNEL, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, ACADEMIC ADVISING, AND THE COUNSELING CENTER FOR STUDENTS. IT ALSO INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS, VETERANS, AND OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS.
- $20.0 million spent. TALBOT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY:THE MISSION OF TALBOT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST WHOSE THOUGHT PROCESSES, CHARACTER, AND LIFESTYLES REFLECT THOSE OF OUR LORD, AND WHO ARE DEDICATED TO DISCIPLE MAKING THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THE GOAL IS TO EDUCATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS CHARACTERIZED BY A COMMITMENT TO SERVING CHRIST, MISSIONARY AND EVANGELISTIC ZEAL, AND A SOLID KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES. THE TALBOT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY OFFERS TWO BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS, NINE MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMS, SIX DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS, AND FIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS. DEGREES AVAILABLE INCLUDE B.A. IN BIBLE, THEOLOGY, AND MINISTRY; MASTER OF DIVINITY (M.DIV.); AND DOCTOR OF MINISTRY. AS OF FALL 2024, THE TALBOT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY'S ENROLLMENT IS 280 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS, 1,097 MASTERS STUDENTS, AND 342 DOCTORAL STUDENTS. TALBOT SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY ENGAGES WITH ITS STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS WEEKLY PODCAST "THINK BIBLICALLY," "THE GOOD BOOK BLOG, AND THE TALBOT MAGAZINE WHICH IS PUBLISHED TWICE A YEAR.
- $16.7 million spent. CROWELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS:THE CROWELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS PREPARES STUDENTS ACADEMICALLY WITH A FOUNDATIONAL BUSINESS EDUCATION WHILE NURTURING THEIR CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT THROUGH SOLID BIBLICAL INTEGRATION IN COURSES AND CONTACT WITH FACULTY AND STAFF. THE MISSION OF THE CROWELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IS TO EQUIP STUDENTS TO DEVELOP A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW SO AS TO SEE BUSINESS AS MINISTRY: TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP IN THEIR CAREER, TO BE STRONG IN MIND AND CHARACTER, AND MATURE IN FAITH SO THAT THEY WILL MAKE AN IMPACT FOR GOD IN THIS TIME AND PLACE. THE CROWELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS OFFERS TWO BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS AND ONE ONLINE BACHELOR DEGREE, FOUR MINORS, AND ONE MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAM. DEGREES AVAILABLE INCLUDE B.S. IN ACCOUNTING, B.S. IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WITH 7 CONCENTRATIONS AVAILABLE, AND MASTERS OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.AS OF FALL 2024, THE CROWELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS'S ENROLLMENT IS 544 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 99 MASTERS STUDENTS. EVERY YEAR THE CROWELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS HOSTS THE BIOLA STARTUP COMPETITION WHERE UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS, AS WELL AS RECENT ALUMNI, ARE INVITED TO PITCH THEIR CONCEPT FOR A BUSINESS OR NONPROFIT, DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, AND COMPETE FOR CAPITAL. IN ADDITION, EVERY OTHER MONTH, THE CROWELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS HOSTS THE DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES, WHERE PROMINENT BUSINESS LEADERS ARE INVITED TO SPEAK WITH STUDENTS.
- $77.4 million spent. SNYDER SCHOOL OF CINEMA & MEDIA ARTS:THE SYNDER SCHOOL OF CINEMA & MEDIA ARTS FOCUSES ON EQUIPPING STUDENTS TO SERVE AS AN OBSERVER, INTERPRETER, AND CREATOR OF MASS MEDIA THROUGH A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW. THE SCHOOL OF CINEMA & MEDIA ARTS IS RANKED BY VARIETY AS ONE OF THE 27 BEST FILM PROGRAMS IN THE WORLD AND IS RANKED AS THE #1 CHRISTIAN FILM SCHOOL. THEY OFFER THREE BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING B.A. IN CINEMA AND MEDIA ARTS, B.A. IN WRITING FOR FILM AND TELEVISION, B.A. IN GAME DESIGN AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA, AND MINOR IN MEDIA STUDIES.AS OF FALL 2024, THE SNYDER SCHOOL OF CINEMA & MEDIA ARTS' ENROLLMENT IS 436 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS.SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE:THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES AIMS TO LOOK AT HUMANKIND'S SIMILAR AND DISPARATE SYSTEMS, BELIEFS, LANGUAGES AND CULTURES AND TO GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING THROUGH THE LITERARY MASTERPIECES OF GREAT THINKERS. THEY PROVIDE CONTEXT FOR TRADITIONS AND FOLKLORE AND LET PHILOSOPHY COLLIDE WITH HISTORY AND POLITICS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE SENSE OF THE WORLD FROM A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE, AS WELL AS A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE. THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES OFFERS 6 BACHELOR'S DEGREES ALONG WITH 10 MINOR PROGRAMS. DEGREES AVAILABLE INCLUDE B.A. IN ENGLISH, B.A. IN POLITICAL SCIENCE, AND B.A. IN SOCIOLOGY. THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES ALSO OFFERS THE TORREY HONORS COLLEGE, WHICH IS BIOLA UNIVERSITY'S UNDERGRADUATE HONORS PROGRAM.AS OF FALL 2024, THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE'S ENROLLMENT IS 263 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION:THE SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION IS WHERE STUDENTS EXPLORE NEW WAYS TO CREATE, TELL AND DISTRIBUTE STORIES BECAUSE EVERY DISCIPLINE TAUGHT IS A CHANNEL THROUGH WHICH STUDENTS CAN IMPACT THE WORLD AND EXPRESS THEIR FAITH WITH WORDS, VISUALS, AND SOUND. THE PROGRAMS GIVE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME PROFICIENT AND POWERFUL STORYTELLERS. THE SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION OFFERS 11 BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS AND 9 MINORS. DEGREES AVAILABLE INCLUDE B.F.A. IN STUDIO ART, B.S. IN DESIGN, B.A. IN MUSIC, B.A. IN COMMUNICATION.AS OF FALL 2024, THE SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION'S ENROLLMENT IS 383 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 2 MASTERS STUDENTS. SCHOOL OF EDUCATION:THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION EXISTS TO TRAIN UP THOSE WHO DESIRE TO MAKE AN IMPACT AS EDUCATORS IN CLASSROOMS, ADMINISTRATION BUILDINGS, HOMESCHOOLS, THE MISSION FIELD AND BEYOND. OUR WIDE SELECTION OF RIGOROUS, BIBLICALLY CENTERED ACADEMIC OFFERINGS RANGING FROM UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS TO TEACHING CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATES, AS WELL AS K12 AS WELL AS HOMESCHOOL EDUCATION THROUGH OUR EIGHT-WEEK CLINIC COURSES FOR GRADES 1 THROUGH 6. THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION OFFERS THREE BACHELOR'S PROGRAM DEGREES, FIVE MASTERS PROGRAM DEGREES, NINE CERTIFICATE/CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS, AND SIX MINORS. DEGREES AVAILABLE INCLUDE B.A. IN EARLY CHILDHOOD, B.A. IN LIBERAL STUDIES (MULTIDISCIPLINARY), AND M.A. IN EDUCATION.AS OF FALL 2024, THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION'S ENROLLMENT IS 167 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 216 MASTERS STUDENTS.ROSEMEAD SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY:ROSEMEAD SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY IS A TOP PSYCHOLOGY SCHOOL FOR CHRISTIANS WHO WANT TO INTEGRATE THEIR FAITH WITH THEIR FIELD. ROSEMEAD SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY BRINGS TOGETHER THE SCIENTIFIC, RESEARCH-DRIVEN STUDY OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR WITH BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ON HUMAN FLOURISHING. STUDENTS ARE EQUIPPED WITH KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR PROFESSIONAL ROLES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, THERAPY, COUNSELING, TEACHING AND RESEARCH. ROSEMEAD SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY OFFERS TWO BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMS, ONE OF WHICH IS AN ONLINE BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM, AND TWO DOCTORAL DEGREE PROGRAMS. DEGREES AVAILABLE INCLUDE B.A. IN PSYCHOLOGY AND PH.D. AND PSY.D. IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY.AS OF FALL 2024, THE ROSEMEAD SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY'S ENROLLMENT IS 322 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND 117 DOCTORAL STUDENTS.RESEARCH:RESEARCH INCLUDES VARIOUS GRANTS THAT BIOLA UNIVERSITY HAS SECURED FROM THIRD PARTIES, WHICH INCLUDES ADMINISTRATION OF GRANTS, AS WELL AS THE RESEARCH BEING PERFORMED. RESEARCH ALSO INCLUDES THE CENTER OF MARRIAGE & RELATIONSHIPS WHICH EQUIPS STUDENTS, COUPLES AND CHURCHES WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO BUILD HAPPY, HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS, RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGES. PUBLIC SERVICES:PUBLIC SERVICES INCLUDES A COUNSELING CENTER FOR THE COMMUNITY.ACADEMIC SUPPORT:ACADEMIC SUPPORT INCLUDES THE PROVOST DEPARTMENT, THE LIBRARY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ADMINISTRATION, THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE, INTEGRATION OF FAITH AND LEARNING, AND FACULTY ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT.GENERAL STUDIES:GENERAL STUDIES INCLUDES A FLEXIBLE ACADEMIC PATH FOR STUDENTS WHO MAY BE UNDECIDED IN THEIR MAJOR OR WISH TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES BEFORE CHOOSING A MORE SPECIFIC FIELD OF STUDY.AS OF FALL 2024, THERE WERE 72 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN GENERAL STUDIES.
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
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 June 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 February 1946.
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.
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.