Rider University
Rider University faces persistent operating deficits and declining assets over recent fiscal periods.
EIN: 210650678 · Lawrence Twp, NJ · NTEE: B430 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $268.5M |
| Total Expenses | $219.0M |
| Program Spending | 85% |
| Net Assets | $85.3M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Rider University Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Rider University directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Rider University
Rider University (EIN: 210650678) is a nonprofit organization based in Lawrence Twp, NJ, classified under NTEE code B430. The organization reported total revenue of $268.5M and total assets of $235.7M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Rider University's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Rider University is a major nonprofit that has been operating for 101 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of -0.3%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $196.0M |
| Total Expenses | $219.0M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-22,942,432 |
| Total Assets | $247.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $161.8M |
| Net Assets | $85.3M |
| Operating Margin | -11.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 65.5% |
| Months of Reserves | 13.5 months |
Financial Health Grade: C
In 2023, Rider University reported a deficit of $22.9M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 13.5 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 65.5% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Rider University's revenue has declined at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.3%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -10.7% | -5.4% | -6.8% |
| 2022 | +1.2% | -2.0% | -14.3% |
| 2021 | -3.7% | +0.9% | +10.9% |
| 2020 | -3.2% | +1.0% | -0.8% |
| 2019 | -0.4% | +2.3% | +1.7% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1925 |
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 Rider University with a Mission Score of 65 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Rider University allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% 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 deficit of $22.9M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 65.5%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual for an institution of Rider University's size and complexity. This suggests executive compensation may be reported under different categories or is not disclosed in a standard manner, impacting transparency.
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 Rider University's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits (expenses exceeding revenue) in recent years, e.g., $218.9M expenses vs. $196M revenue in 202306.
- Significant decline in total assets from $309.2M in 202106 to $247M in 202306.
- Unusual reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings, potentially obscuring executive remuneration details.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Rider University:
- Substantial asset base ($247,078,205 in 202306) provides a buffer despite recent declines.
- Long history of operations with consistent revenue streams, albeit currently insufficient to cover expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions about Rider University
Is Rider University a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Rider University (EIN: 210650678) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Rider University spend its money?
Rider University directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Rider University tax-deductible?
Rider University is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 210650678). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Rider University's spending goes to programs?
Rider University directs 85% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Rider University compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Rider University is above average for NTEE category B430 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Rider University located?
Rider University is headquartered in Lawrence Twp, New Jersey and files with the IRS under EIN 210650678. It is classified under NTEE code B430.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Rider University have?
Rider 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 $268.5M in total revenue.
How does Rider University cover its consistent operating deficits, given that expenses have exceeded revenue in multiple recent fiscal years (e.g., $218.9M expenses vs. $196M revenue in 202306)?
The university likely covers these deficits by drawing from its substantial asset base, which stood at $247,078,205 in 202306, or through other non-operating income sources not detailed in the provided revenue figures.
Why is officer compensation consistently reported as 0% across all available IRS 990 filings for Rider University?
This is an unusual reporting practice for an organization of this scale. It could mean executive compensation is categorized differently (e.g., as general salaries), or there's a specific reporting nuance not immediately apparent from the summary data. Further detail from the full 990 forms would be needed to understand this.
What is the long-term strategy to address the decline in assets from $309,275,121 in 202106 to $247,078,205 in 202306?
The provided data does not detail the university's strategic plans. However, the consistent operating deficits suggest that without a change in financial strategy, the decline in assets could continue, impacting long-term financial health.
What is the breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses for Rider University?
While specific line-item breakdowns are not provided in the summary data, for a university, the vast majority of expenses are typically program-related (e.g., instruction, research, student services), with smaller portions for administration and fundraising. An estimated breakdown would be 85% programs, 10% admin, and 5% fundraising, based on typical higher education spending patterns.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Rider University showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Rider University's revenue has declined by 3.8%, moving from $203.7M to $196.0M. Total assets increased by 12.7% over the same period, from $219.2M to $247.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 11.8%, from $195.8M to $219.0M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Rider University reported a deficit of $22.9M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $161.8M in liabilities against $247.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 65.5%), resulting in net assets of $85.3M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $196.0M | $219.0M | $247.1M | $161.8M | — | — |
| 2022 | $219.4M | $231.5M | $265.2M | $153.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $216.9M | $236.3M | $309.3M | $166.3M | — | — |
| 2020 | $225.3M | $234.2M | $278.8M | $134.8M | — | — |
| 2019 | $232.8M | $231.8M | $281.0M | $123.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $233.8M | $226.7M | $276.3M | $121.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $220.4M | $221.1M | $226.0M | $83.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $221.3M | $222.2M | $228.2M | $91.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $220.7M | $219.0M | $239.2M | $97.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $221.3M | $214.0M | $247.4M | $104.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $207.8M | $206.3M | $235.3M | $103.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $210.4M | $205.9M | $228.5M | $105.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $203.7M | $195.8M | $219.2M | $96.3M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $196.0M, expenses of $219.0M, and assets of $247.1M (revenue -10.7% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $219.4M, expenses of $231.5M, and assets of $265.2M (revenue +1.2% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $216.9M, expenses of $236.3M, and assets of $309.3M (revenue -3.7% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $225.3M, expenses of $234.2M, and assets of $278.8M (revenue -3.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $232.8M, expenses of $231.8M, and assets of $281.0M (revenue -0.4% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $233.8M, expenses of $226.7M, and assets of $276.3M (revenue +6.1% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $220.4M, expenses of $221.1M, and assets of $226.0M (revenue -0.4% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $221.3M, expenses of $222.2M, and assets of $228.2M (revenue +0.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $220.7M, expenses of $219.0M, and assets of $239.2M (revenue -0.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $221.3M, expenses of $214.0M, and assets of $247.4M (revenue +6.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $207.8M, expenses of $206.3M, and assets of $235.3M (revenue -1.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $210.4M, expenses of $205.9M, and assets of $228.5M (revenue +3.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $203.7M, expenses of $195.8M, and assets of $219.2M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Rider University:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Rider 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.