Strongest operating margins – private nonprofit universities

These 50 private nonprofit universities rank highest by operating margin, drawn from 1528 institutions with reported data in the most recent U.S. Department of Education release (2024-25). McPherson College (McPherson, KS) leads at 96.2%.

#	Institution	Operating margin
1	McPherson CollegeKS	96.2%
2	Dongguk University Los AngelesCA	80.2%
3	Spertus CollegeIL	79.3%
4	Williamson College of the TradesPA	71.4%
5	Phillips Theological SeminaryOK	67%
6	Maine College of Health ProfessionsME	66.7%
7	Selma UniversityAL	64.1%
8	Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular MedicineNY	63.7%
9	Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science IncPA	60.8%
10	Aquinas Institute of TheologyMO	59.5%
11	Kairos UniversitySD	59.3%
12	Lutheran School of Theology at ChicagoIL	58.7%
13	Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary-OverbrookPA	58.4%
14	Talladega CollegeAL	57.1%
15	Life Chiropractic College WestCA	53.6%
16	St. John's CollegeMD	53.2%
17	San Francisco Conservatory of MusicCA	52.7%
18	Concordia SeminaryMO	51.9%
19	Hampden-Sydney CollegeVA	50.2%
20	Lake Erie College of Osteopathic MedicinePA	48.7%
21	MCPHS UniversityMA	48%
22	Bethany Theological SeminaryIN	47.7%
23	Wesley Biblical SeminaryMS	47%
24	Davis & Elkins CollegeWV	46.8%
25	Calvin Theological SeminaryMI	45.9%
26	Curtis Institute of MusicPA	45.9%
27	Howard Payne UniversityTX	45.6%
28	Berea CollegeKY	45.5%
29	Dunwoody College of TechnologyMN	44.7%
30	Allegheny Wesleyan CollegeOH	44.6%
31	Seminario Evangelico de Puerto RicoPR	44.2%
32	Eden Theological SeminaryMO	42.4%
33	Southwestern Christian CollegeTX	42%
34	Bryant & Stratton College-OnlineNY	41.4%
35	Trine UniversityIN	41.1%
36	Princeton Theological SeminaryNJ	40.7%
37	Minerva UniversityCA	40.4%
38	Universal Technology College of Puerto RicoPR	40.4%
39	Yeshivath Beth MoshePA	40.2%
40	Lakewood UniversityOH	39.8%
41	Alice Lloyd CollegeKY	38.9%
42	Pacific School of ReligionCA	38.7%
43	Whitman CollegeWA	38.7%
44	Reformed UniversityGA	37.7%
45	Northwood UniversityMI	37.6%
46	Austin Presbyterian Theological SeminaryTX	37.5%
47	Austin CollegeTX	37.1%
48	Hillsdale CollegeMI	36.8%
49	Union Theological Seminary in the City of New YorkNY	36.2%
50	Westminster Theological Seminary in CaliforniaCA	35.9%

A data ranking, not an Ibex endorsement or quality rating. Ranked solely on the metric named above using the most recent College Scorecard & IPEDS release, which lags the current academic year by 2–3 years. Institutions that do not report this metric are excluded. Figures and peer context appear on each institution’s profile.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard & IPEDS (most recent release, 2024-25), with NSF NCSES (HERD), the Clery Act & EADA collections, Census ACS, BLS Employment Projections, WICHE & the FSA Direct Loan Dashboard. Compiled by Ibex Insights. For informational benchmarking only, not financial, investment, or accreditation advice. See the methodology.