College Board

What it reported doing in 2024

College and Career Opportunities and Enrollment By connecting students to colleges and scholarships, and providing access to credit programs, planning tools, and fee waivers for all who need them, College Board is increasing opportunities and breaking down barriers to college and helping students identify career opportunities. BigFuture: BigFuture is a free, online resource that helps students take the right first step after high school. It helps students explore careers, plan for college, and pay for college. Whether a student is interested in a four-year university, community college, or career training, BigFuture simplifies the steps students can take to start planning their future. Driven by insights from real students, educators, and industry leaders, and backed by over 100 years of College Board research, BigFuture provides personalized information that meets students' needs. And when students take important actions toward their future, they're rewarded with the chance to win scholarships. BigFuture Scholarships launched in December 2018 and are open to all students starting in 10th grade. Students who complete steps on BigFuture can win scholarship drawings-two $40,000 scholarships or multiple $500 scholarships per month. More than $20 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 21,000 students since the program started. Student Search Service: College Board's Student Search Service, or Search, is a free, optional program that connects students with information about educational and financial aid opportunities from nearly 1,400 eligible colleges and universities, and scholarships and other educational programs. Students can opt in to participate in Search at any time when they visit the BigFuture website or when they take the SAT Weekend assessment. By choosing to participate, students give College Board permission to share their names and limited information with colleges and scholarship programs looking for students like them. Research shows that students contacted by colleges in Search are more likely to enroll in and finish college. The College Board National Recognition Programs: College Board's National Recognition Program honors high-performing students for their dedication and hard work, helping them gain Visibility with colleges. Students across schools nationwide will be eligible to claim an award based on their achievement. Awardees are among the highest achieving students in their communities, including those from lesser-known high schools, and as a result, many colleges are eager to recruit them. Colleges use the National Recognition Program to support their recruitment strategies. The program helps colleges recruit talented students across communities based on their achievement. Students can receive up to six award designations, including a new School Recognition Award for high school students who are in the top of their school community, so we can celebrate academic achievements in every corner of the country. Students are eligible for recognition in 10th and 11th grade based on their exceptional academic performance on the PSAT/NMSQT (10th, 11th), PSAT 10 (10th) and/or AP Exams (by the end of 10th grade). Expanded Scholarship Opportunities: Participating in Student Search Service helps match students with scholarship providers. In addition to its partnership with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, College Board connects students to 22 scholarship partners that offer almost $300 million in annual rewards to qualified students based on merit and financial need. By using information from the PSAT/NMSQT and PSAT 10, our scholarship partners are able to access a wider group of eligible students from high schools across the country and make sure they're aware of the opportunities they've earned. Fee Waivers: In 2024, College Board provided over $106 million in fee waivers and fee reductions. CSS Profile: CSS Profile is a common application that helps colleges deliver nonfederal institutiona

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 79.2%; rating input score 79
• Program expense ratio: 84.5%; rating input score 85
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 86.7%; rating input score 87; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 6 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Pass
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 94.1%; rating input score 94; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Scored; rating input score 0

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 93.5%; rating input score 94; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 18%; rating input score 86; 86th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 2.54; rating input score 71; 71st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.18; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 1.3%; rating input score 68; 68th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 3.4% per year; rating input score 100; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.6% per year; rating input score 100; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 8.5% per year; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings