Caldwell University

What it reported doing in 2024

In the fall 2024 term, the university served a diverse body of 16,177 undergraduate and 388 graduate students. Seventeen percent of university students identified as black or african american, twenty-six percent as hispanic of any race, four percent as asian, and one percent as multiracial. Caldwell university was recognized by the u.s. Department of education as a hispanic-serving institution in march 2020. Women comprise fifty-nine percent of the university's undergraduate students.twenty-two percent of caldwell students are international students representing thirty-nine countries, including a sizeable group of students from nepal. Four hundred eighty-eight students live on campus. A 12:1 student to faculty ratio highlights the individualized mentorship and instruction that characterize a caldwell education. To enable access to the university for all deserving students, caldwell contributed over $39m of total financial aid for scholarships, grants, and other aid. Ninety-eight percent of students receive some type of financial aid (federal, state, loans, institutional, and/or private). Students choose caldwell because of its nationally recognized programs; small class sizes; low tuition; generous financial aid; secure and beautiful campus; emphasis on developing global citizens; personalized attention and advising; vibrant student clubs and activities; convenient and flexible class schedules; strong academic support services; and a location in one of New Jersey's best towns with close proximity to New York city. Ninety-five percent of recent bachelor's degree earners are working or enrolled in further education. Caldwell offers over thirty undergraduate degree programs and over thirty graduate degree and certificate programs, including doctoral programs in education leadership and a doctoral program in applied behavior analysis, the first in New Jersey. New academic programs added include a range of professional certificates in business and communications fields. Recent athletic and student life programs launched recently include men's rugby and women's acrobatic and tumbling have proven popular. Additional academic programs and services include professional and peer tutoring; academic coaching; career development services; a learning community for underprepared students; an honors program; academic internships; and the eof mentoring and financial support program for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Caldwell was reaccredited in 2025 by the middle states commission for higher education. Specialized accreditation further attests to program quality and vigor, providing graduates with a differentiated career credential and enabling them to stand out competitively during hiring and acceptance into advanced degree programs. Specialized accreditors that have awarded accreditation to caldwell's programs include the accreditation council for business schools and programs; council for accreditation of counseling and related education programs; teacher education accreditation council; commission on collegiate nursing education, commission on accreditation of allied health education programs and the association for behavior analysis international. Caldwell offers one of only two cacrep-accredited art therapy programs in the nation. Caldwell is a leader in applied behavior analysis, a scientific discipline known to help children with autism spectrum disorders. The college's state-of-the-art autism center benefits children and their families in New Jersey.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 86.2%; rating input score 86
• Program expense ratio: 85%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.64 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 95.7%; rating input score 96; 49th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -0.2%; rating input score 26; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.65; rating input score 25; 25th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.48; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 3.2%; rating input score 34; 34th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 3.5% per year; rating input score 100; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2% per year; rating input score 100; 15th percentile among comparable filings