Ashland University

The information on this page was last updated 1/6/2026. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]


Summary

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private, comprehensive university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.

Situated on a beautiful 135-acre campus with trees, brick walkways and flower gardens, Ashland University affords close proximity to the big city while offering the advantages of an intimate campus experience in a small-town setting. Deeply rooted in tradition, yet always moving forward, Ashland University provides unparalleled opportunities for students to learn, grow and find their place in the world.

Students

Ashland University is home to nearly 2,200 full-time, undergraduate students. Ninety-two percent of these students are from Ohio, while students also come from 27 other states and 31 countries. Fifty-seven percent of the on-campus students are female. The average ACT score for the 2010 freshman class was 22.9, while the average high school grade point average for that class was 3.37. The University's total enrollment is nearly 6,500 students, and this includes graduate programs as well as off-campus centers in Cleveland, Columbus, Elyria, Mansfield, Massillon, Medina, Westlake and Detroit, Mich.

Academics

The University features a strong academic reputation, offering more than 70 undergraduate majors including programs in finance, political science, toxicology, environmental science, dietetics, athletic training and digital media. In addition, it offers most traditional liberal arts majors as well as a wide range of majors in business and education. The education program, which offers pre-K through doctorate level courses, is one of the largest among institutions in Ohio. Academic programs are enhanced by an Honors Program and the John M. Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs.

In addition to its traditional undergraduate studies, Ashland offers a master of American history and government degree program; a master of fine arts in creative writing degree program; a master of business administration degree program; a master of education degree program; a doctor of education degree program; master's degrees and doctorate in theology through Ashland Theological Seminary; a bachelor of science in nursing program, and a bachelor's plus program for students with a non-education degree who want to teach.


Contact information

Mailing address:
Ashland University
401 College Avenue
Ashland, OH 44805

Website: ashland.edu

Phone: 419-289-4142

Email: [email protected]


Organization details

EIN: 340714626

CEO/President: Dr. Carlos Campo

Chairman: James H. Hess

Board size: 28

Founder:

Ruling year: 1949

Tax deductible: Yes

Fiscal year end: 05/31

Member of ECFA: No

Member of ECFA since:


Purpose

Ashland University aspires to be a nationally recognized, private university where traditions of excellence are fostered and students discern their life calling and thrive.


Mission statement

Ashland University, guided by our Christian heritage, is a comprehensive, private university that provides a transformative learning experience, shaping graduates who work, serve and lead with integrity in their local, national, and global communities.


Statement of faith

Donor confidence score

Show donor confidence score details

To understand our donor confidence score, click here.


Transparency grade

D

To understand our transparency grade, click here.


Financial efficiency ratings

Sector: Colleges/Universities

CategoryRatingOverall rankSector rank
Overall efficiency rating345 of 142326 of 155
Fund acquisition rating642 of 142366 of 155
Resource allocation rating172 of 14236 of 155
Asset utilization rating712 of 142491 of 155

According to the organization's Form 990, it received $2,892,085 in government grants in 2025.

To understand our financial efficiency ratings, click here.


Financial ratios

Funding ratiosSector median20252024202320222021
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts =
Fundraising expense /
Total contributions
13%11%11%12%4%6%
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio =
Fundraising expense /
Total revenue
2%2%2%2%1%1%
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance =
Total contributions /
Total revenue
15%19%17%18%37%24%
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio =
Fundraising expense /
Total expenses
2%2%2%2%2%2%
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance =
Total other revenue /
Total revenue
85%81%83%82%63%76%
 
Operating ratiosSector median20252024202320222021
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio =
Program services /
Total expenses
84%93%93%94%93%93%
Spending ratio Spending ratio =
Total expenses /
Total revenue
96%101%103%106%81%86%
Program output ratio Program output ratio =
Program services /
Total revenue
81%94%96%99%75%80%
Savings ratio Savings ratio =
Surplus (deficit) /
Total revenue
4%-1%-3%-6%19%14%
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate =
Surplus (deficit) /
Net assets
2%0%-2%-4%16%11%
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio =
Management and general expense /
Total expenses
14%5%5%4%5%5%
 
Investing ratiosSector median20252024202320222021
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover =
Total expenses /
Total assets
0.520.440.440.450.460.44
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment =
Total assets /
Total current assets
2.732.312.362.332.032.09
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover =
Total expenses /
Total current assets
1.451.011.051.050.940.91
 
Liquidity ratiosSector median20252024202320222021
Current ratio Current ratio =
Total current assets /
Total current liabilities
8.184.833.753.875.213.93
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio =
Total current liabilities /
Total current assets
0.120.210.270.260.190.25
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level =
(Total current assets -
Total current liabilities) /
(Total expenses / 12)
6.999.428.428.4310.369.77
 
Solvency ratiosSector median20252024202320222021
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio =
Total liabilities /
Total assets
20%29%31%32%30%35%
Debt ratio Debt ratio =
Debt /
Total assets
10%18%19%19%19%21%
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio =
Net assets /
Total expenses
148%163%155%151%151%148%

Financials

Balance sheet
 
Assets20252024202320222021
Cash$31,813,607$33,194,264$35,502,784$49,111,121$55,958,546
Receivables, inventories, prepaids$29,123,776$30,886,558$38,769,309$47,928,547$28,133,989
Short-term investments$75,194,166$66,203,925$56,879,025$57,616,763$58,605,080
Other current assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total current assets$136,131,549$130,284,747$131,151,118$154,656,431$142,697,615
Long-term investments$11,970,518$8,709,750$6,637,599$3,474,162$2,947,664
Fixed assets$161,112,900$163,367,625$162,657,764$150,002,824$143,927,017
Other long-term assets$5,260,764$5,361,207$5,383,074$5,951,417$8,492,939
Total long-term assets$178,344,182$177,438,582$174,678,437$159,428,403$155,367,620
Total assets$314,475,731$307,723,329$305,829,555$314,084,834$298,065,235
 
Liabilities20252024202320222021
Payables and accrued expenses$9,873,580$19,621,939$19,552,873$15,512,394$12,183,336
Other current liabilities$18,310,283$15,134,672$14,361,291$14,173,332$24,168,123
Total current liabilities$28,183,863$34,756,611$33,914,164$29,685,726$36,351,459
Debt$56,543,630$57,980,461$59,442,291$60,873,671$62,232,132
Due to (from) affiliates$0$0$0$0$0
Other long-term liabilities$5,195,656$3,499,096$3,854,719$4,741,576$5,861,275
Total long-term liabilities$61,739,286$61,479,557$63,297,010$65,615,247$68,093,407
Total liabilities$89,923,149$96,236,168$97,211,174$95,300,973$104,444,866
 
Net assets20252024202320222021
Without donor restrictions$126,652,647$123,282,322$121,289,783$114,416,549$102,634,221
With donor restrictions$97,899,935$88,204,839$87,328,598$104,367,312$90,986,148
Net assets$224,552,582$211,487,161$208,618,381$218,783,861$193,620,369
 
Revenues and expenses
 
Revenue20252024202320222021
Total contributions$26,285,683$22,697,491$23,561,229$66,347,850$36,070,768
Program service revenue$105,637,216$106,423,957$103,626,937$109,621,447$111,803,827
Membership dues$0$0$0$0$0
Investment income$4,861,152$3,366,428$3,761,841$3,841,080$4,817,315
Other revenue($222,368)($170,414)($230,146)($395,599)($1,274,148)
Total other revenue$110,276,000$109,619,971$107,158,632$113,066,928$115,346,994
Total revenue$136,561,683$132,317,462$130,719,861$179,414,778$151,417,762
 
Expenses20252024202320222021
Program services$127,935,405$127,163,689$129,827,604$135,328,470$121,189,786
Management and general$6,581,399$6,557,033$5,764,617$6,939,715$7,111,902
Fundraising$2,943,906$2,454,235$2,756,916$2,549,574$2,265,699
Total expenses$137,460,710$136,174,957$138,349,137$144,817,759$130,567,387
 
Change in net assets20252024202320222021
Surplus (deficit)($899,027)($3,857,495)($7,629,276)$34,597,019$20,850,375
Other changes in net assets$0$0$0$0$0
Total change in net assets($899,027)($3,857,495)($7,629,276)$34,597,019$20,850,375

Compensation

NameTitleCompensation
Dr Carlos CampoFormer President$409,819
Dr Jon Parrish PeedePresident$244,329
Jeffrey Sikkenga ExecutiveDirector, Ashbrook Center$233,702
Patrick Ewing VP ofFacilities Management & Planning$229,693
Sivakumar VenkataramanayProfessor$220,260
Amiel JarstferProvost (exit 3/25)$201,282
Marc PasterisVP of Finance & CFO$199,615
Daniel FoxDean$195,551
Chad KiferDirector, Dev & Strategic$192,648
Robert PoolVP of Student Affairs$176,448
Jason MillerVP of Advancement$175,181
Keith Ramsdell VP ofEnrollment Mgmt & Marketing$174,955
Timothy HinkelProfessor$158,992
Dr Gregory McBrayerInterim Provost (enter 3/25)$139,767

Compensation data as of: 5/31/2025


Response from ministry

No response has been provided by this ministry.


The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 1/6/2026. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]


History

Founded in 1878 as Ashland College, the name of the institution was changed to Ashland University on May 12, 1989. This change was a practical and logical step based on the many diverse undergraduate, graduate and professional programs offered by the institution. Ashland continues to have a rich tradition as a private, comprehensive institution preparing students for exciting professions and careers. The University consists of four academic colleges -- College of Arts & Sciences, Dauch College of Business & Economics, Schar College of Education and Schar College of Nursing and Health Sciences -- as well as the Graduate, Online and Adult Studies; the Founders School for Continuing Education; and Ashland Theological Seminary.


Program accomplishments


Needs