American University
American University reported $929.6 million in revenue and $943.0 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $90.23 went to program services, $7.86 to management and general costs and $1.91 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was program service revenue such as fees, sales and contracts: 84.9% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $1,570,221 (DIST. FELLOW & FORMER PRESIDENT). 1,005 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 8% 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 $943MFor 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 $930M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$4.50 $42M
- Government grants$1.16 $11M
- Program service revenue$84.85 $789M
- Investment income$9.49 $88M
Other revenue was negative: −$11,770. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 90.2% | 84.4% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 7.9% | 13.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 1.9% | 0.8% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.34 | $0.04 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 5.7% | 19.1% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 84.9% | 69.9% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $1,570,221 | $331,578 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 0.17% | 1.28% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 1,005 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 21.4 | 13.3 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 25 of 25 | 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: the university's mission is carried out by almost 911 full-time teaching and research faculty in six academic divisions offering 82 bachelor's programs, 92 master's programs, 24 doctoral programs, j.d., s.j.d, m.l.s. And l.l.m. Programs. Student-faculty ratio = 10:1. Average class size = 21 students
Scholarships and fellowships: American University awards financial aid to students based on a combination of demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, and the availability of funds. Once a student is admitted, the financial aid office will determine need and develop a financial aid award that includes funds from the programs for which the student qualifies. To receive consideration for financial aid, a student must be a united states citizen or eligible non-citizen in a degree program
Auxiliary enterprises: university dormitories, consisting of eleven residence halls, provide living quarters for almost 4,048 students. Also provided are recreational facilities, dining services, parking, and other self-supporting faculty, staff, and student services
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIST. FELLOW & FORMER PRESIDENT Former, 50.00 hrs/week | $1,538,403 | $0 | $31,818 | $1,570,221 |
| CFO, VP & TREASURER Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $598,385 | $0 | $117,920 | $716,305 |
| LECTURER & FORMER VP, PPL & EXT. AFFAIRS Former, 50.00 hrs/week | $521,437 | $0 | $165,791 | $687,228 |
| PROF./CAO AS OF 5/25 INT. THRU 4/25 Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $626,797 | $0 | $34,425 | $661,222 |
| VP, UNI. COUNSEL & BOT SEC Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $598,929 | $0 | $44,422 | $643,351 |
| VP & CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $558,126 | $0 | $53,668 | $611,794 |
| PRESIDENT AS OF 7/24 Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $515,258 | $0 | $54,684 | $569,942 |
| DEAN & PROFESSOR Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $545,016 | $0 | $11,146 | $556,162 |
1,005 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from American University (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $7.1M (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–1b25 · 25 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 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 58,559
- Volunteers Part I, line 61,014
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| COMPASS GROUP USA INC Management service | $24,580,773 |
| THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC Construction service | $15,065,901 |
| ARAMARK SERVICES INC Management service | $8,885,063 |
| 2U INC Education consultant | $8,101,995 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 207 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
114 private foundations reported grants to American University totaling $10M 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 American 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 American University, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
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Of every $100 American University spent in FY2025, $90.23 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- The University of AucklandNew Zealand, · revenue $928M · programs 81.1% · 2023
- Bard CollegeAnnandaleonhudson, NY · revenue $930M · programs 91.4% · FY2025
- Trustees of the Estate of Bernice Pauahi Bishop Dba Kamehameha SchoolsHonolulu, HI · revenue $927M · programs 61.7% · FY2025
- Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA · revenue $931M · programs 92.7% · FY2025
- University of ManitobaCanada, · revenue $917M · programs 95.8% · FY2026
All education charities · Largest charities in District of Columbia
Questions people ask
How much of American University's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, American University reported that 90.2% of its $943.0 million in expenses went to program services, 7.9% to management and general and 1.9% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does American University pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation American University reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $1,570,221, for the role of DIST. FELLOW & FORMER PRESIDENT (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does American University get its money?
Of $929.6 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 5.7% came from contributions and grants (including 1.2% from government grants) and 84.9% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is American University a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 53-0196549 as a 501(c)(3) organization (school), 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 202641339349303109 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202501339349302245 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202411309349300921 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202341329349302789 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202221349349301517 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202131349349305438 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 53-0196549: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.