Western Governors University

Analysis

Western Governors University is a registered charity in United States, based in Salt Lake Cty, UT. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in March 2016, 10 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education, which this site groups under education and training. The IRS classifies it as a school under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, Western Governors University reported income of $654.4m and spending of $619.1m, spending 95% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from June 2019 to June 2023, income grew from $10.0m to $654.4m (+6436%), an average of +184% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2023, when income rose by 724%. Over the whole period it spent 94% of the income it received.

Among 66,972 United States charities whose main cause is education and training and that reported income, Western Governors University sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile, and in the 100th percentile within UT. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Hofstra University ($653.5m), Simon Fraser University ($656.3m) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc ($650.2m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 0.8% and program service revenue 99% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $4.6m (0.7% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $253.9m. At year end it held assets of $393.8m against liabilities of $348.2m, net assets of $45.6m. It reported 655 employees.