Excelsior University
Excelsior University maintains stable finances with consistent revenue and decreasing liabilities.
EIN: 161532850 · Albany, NY · NTEE: B42Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $83.3M |
| Total Expenses | $70.0M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| Net Assets | $49.7M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Excelsior University Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Excelsior University directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Excelsior University
Excelsior University (EIN: 161532850) is a nonprofit organization based in Albany, NY, classified under NTEE code B42Z. The organization reported total revenue of $83.3M and total assets of $74.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Excelsior University's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Excelsior University is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 28 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 1.2%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $74.4M |
| Total Expenses | $70.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | +$4.4M |
| Total Assets | $69.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $19.4M |
| Net Assets | $49.7M |
| Operating Margin | 5.9% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 28.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 11.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: A
In 2023, Excelsior University reported a surplus of $4.4M with revenue exceeding expenses, holds 11.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 28.0% (moderate leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Excelsior University's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.2%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +3.7% | -6.9% | +5.9% |
| 2022 | -8.3% | -1.9% | -17.5% |
| 2021 | +3.2% | +4.6% | +8.0% |
| 2020 | -5.1% | -2.1% | +5.7% |
| 2019 | -7.8% | -13.7% | +6.6% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 3000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1998 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Excelsior University with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Excelsior University allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a surplus of $4.4M, with revenue exceeding expenses.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 28.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% for officer compensation, which suggests either that no officers receive compensation or that compensation is reported in a different section of the 990, requiring further scrutiny to fully understand executive pay relative to the organization's multi-million dollar revenue.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Excelsior University's IRS 990 filings:
- Lack of detailed spending breakdown (program, admin, fundraising) in provided data
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which may obscure actual executive pay
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Excelsior University:
- Consistent revenue generation, averaging over $80 million annually over the past decade
- Positive net assets, with assets generally exceeding liabilities
- Decreasing trend in liabilities from $35,094,552 in 2016 to $19,358,664 in 2023
- Generally stable financial operations with expenses typically below or in line with revenue
Frequently Asked Questions about Excelsior University
Is Excelsior University a legitimate charity?
Excelsior University (EIN: 161532850) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $83.3M. 2 red flags identified. 4 strengths noted. Financial health grade: A.
How does Excelsior University spend its money?
Excelsior University directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Excelsior University tax-deductible?
Excelsior University is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 161532850). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Excelsior University's spending goes to programs?
Excelsior University directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Excelsior University compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Excelsior University is above average for NTEE category B42Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Excelsior University located?
Excelsior University is headquartered in Albany, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 161532850. It is classified under NTEE code B42Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Excelsior University have?
Excelsior University has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $83.3M in total revenue.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses for Excelsior University?
The provided data does not offer a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, only total expenses. This information would be crucial for a more precise assessment of spending efficiency.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all filings?
The consistent reporting of 0% for officer compensation in the provided data is unusual for an organization of this size and revenue. It warrants further investigation to determine if compensation is truly zero or if it's reported under a different category or schedule within the full IRS 990.
How does Excelsior University's program spending efficiency compare to similar higher education institutions?
Without a detailed breakdown of program spending, a direct comparison of Excelsior University's program spending efficiency to peer institutions is not possible based on the provided data.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Excelsior University showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Excelsior University's revenue has grown by 15.4%, moving from $64.5M to $74.4M. Total assets increased by 63.5% over the same period, from $42.2M to $69.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 6.6%, from $65.7M to $70.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Excelsior University reported a surplus of $4.4M, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $19.4M in liabilities against $69.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 28.0%), resulting in net assets of $49.7M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $74.4M | $70.0M | $69.1M | $19.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $71.8M | $75.2M | $65.2M | $21.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $78.3M | $76.7M | $79.0M | $24.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $75.9M | $73.3M | $73.2M | $26.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $79.9M | $74.8M | $69.2M | $25.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $86.7M | $86.7M | $64.9M | $27.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $101.4M | $99.3M | $66.7M | $30.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $106.1M | $107.2M | $68.8M | $35.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $97.5M | $94.9M | $63.1M | $27.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $90.0M | $87.1M | $59.0M | $25.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $81.4M | $78.0M | $46.6M | $16.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $71.4M | $72.6M | $42.2M | $15.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $64.5M | $65.7M | $42.2M | $14.2M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $74.4M, expenses of $70.0M, and assets of $69.1M (revenue +3.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $71.8M, expenses of $75.2M, and assets of $65.2M (revenue -8.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $78.3M, expenses of $76.7M, and assets of $79.0M (revenue +3.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $75.9M, expenses of $73.3M, and assets of $73.2M (revenue -5.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $79.9M, expenses of $74.8M, and assets of $69.2M (revenue -7.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $86.7M, expenses of $86.7M, and assets of $64.9M (revenue -14.5% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $101.4M, expenses of $99.3M, and assets of $66.7M (revenue -4.5% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $106.1M, expenses of $107.2M, and assets of $68.8M (revenue +8.9% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $97.5M, expenses of $94.9M, and assets of $63.1M (revenue +8.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $90.0M, expenses of $87.1M, and assets of $59.0M (revenue +10.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $81.4M, expenses of $78.0M, and assets of $46.6M (revenue +14.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $71.4M, expenses of $72.6M, and assets of $42.2M (revenue +10.6% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $64.5M, expenses of $65.7M, and assets of $42.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Excelsior University:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Excelsior University is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.