La Sierra University
La Sierra University reported $72.1 million in revenue and $87.0 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $75.81 went to program services, $22.75 to management and general costs and $1.44 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 77.4% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $234,370 (PRESIDENT (ENDING 09/23)). 24 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue fell 11% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $87MFor context, the median across 5,499 covered education charities: $85.56 programs, $13.59 management, $0.85 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $72MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 75.8% | 84.4% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 22.7% | 13.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 1.4% | 0.8% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.15 | $0.04 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 11.5% | 19.1% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 3.0% | 1.1% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 77.4% | 69.9% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $234,370 | $331,578 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.27% | 1.28% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 24 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 24.5 | 13.3 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 23 of 24 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseInstruction and research programs served more than 1,100 undergraduate and more than 340 graduate students. These programs have a community-centered approach around general studies, international learning experiences and culminates in a senior project of original scholarship
Student services served students' emotional, physical, spiritual well being, intellectual, cultural and social development outside of the classroom. More than 100 students volunteered for community service. There are 4 active ministries and 24 social clubs. The university has men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track, and women's volleyball varsity programs. Approximately 239 people participate. There is also an intramural program that is open to all students for participation. The intramural sports…
Auxiliaries - expenses for enterprises that exist to furnish goods or services to students, faculty or staff. 552 students lived in residence halls and 84 in university apartments and houses. In addition, 43 faculty and staff occupy apartments and houses owned by the university
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT (ENDING 09/23) Former, 50.0 hrs/week | $212,250 | $0 | $22,120 | $234,370 |
| VP OF ADVANCEMENT Highest compensated employee, 50.0 hrs/week | $143,845 | $0 | $67,709 | $211,554 |
| VP STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT Highest compensated employee, 50.0 hrs/week | $176,507 | $0 | $10,741 | $187,248 |
| PROVOST Officer, 50.0 hrs/week | $166,503 | $0 | $13,589 | $180,092 |
| VP OF FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION (ending 06/24) Former, 50.0 hrs/week | $158,353 | $0 | $15,802 | $174,155 |
| DEAN-ZAPARA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Highest compensated employee, 50.0 hrs/week | $141,375 | $0 | $14,536 | $155,911 |
| INTERIM PRESIDENT (ending 06/24) Former, 50.0 hrs/week | $140,196 | $0 | $6,931 | $147,127 |
| PRESIDENT / SECRETARY OF THE BOARD Director/trustee, officer, 50.0 hrs/week | $137,238 | $0 | $7,492 | $144,730 |
24 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from La Sierra University (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $1.4M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b24 · 23 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26Yes
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 51,288
- Volunteers Part I, line 623
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| DYNAMIC CAMPUS SOLUTIONS INC It consulting | $2,553,501 |
| SODEXO INC AND AFFILIATES Facilities & food svcs | $2,307,151 |
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE LLC Educational | $1,077,071 |
| UNLIMITED HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING Hvac | $550,900 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 30 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
9 private foundations reported grants to La Sierra University totaling $96,065 on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from La Sierra University's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for La Sierra University, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 La Sierra University spent in FY2025, $75.81 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Southern Nazarene UniversityBethany, OK · revenue $72M · programs 76.5% · FY2025
- International Republican InstituteWashington, DC · revenue $72M · programs 85.4% · FY2025
- KIPP NashvilleAntioch, TN · revenue $72M · programs 84.4% · FY2025
- Gwynedd Mercy UniversityGwynedd Valley, PA · revenue $72M · programs 81.4% · FY2025
- Lake Highland Preparatory SchoolOrlando, FL · revenue $72M · programs 85.5% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of La Sierra University's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, La Sierra University reported that 75.8% of its $87.0 million in expenses went to program services, 22.7% to management and general and 1.4% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does La Sierra University pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation La Sierra University reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $234,370, for the role of PRESIDENT (ENDING 09/23) (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does La Sierra University get its money?
Of $72.1 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 11.5% came from contributions and grants (including 3.0% from government grants) and 77.4% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is La Sierra University a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 33-0413730 as a 501(c)(3) organization (church), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202641339349307289 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202501359349314365 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202441359349311604 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202331359349309898 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202211369349309906 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202141379349302079 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 33-0413730: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.