Executive Compensation at Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University (TCU) is a private, tax-exempt non-profit research university in Fort Worth, Texas that is affiliated with the Christian Church 9 (Disciples of Christ).  Approximately 11,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students are pursuing 114 undergraduate areas of study and 98 graduate degrees on the 300 acre campus a few miles from downtown Fort Worth.

Tuition, room and board are approximately $73,000 annually for an undergraduate student (with about 80% receiving financial aid). With an acceptance rate of 41% (20,000 applications in 2022 of which 8,000 were accepted, and about 3,000 chose to attend), TCU counts about 53% of its students coming from out of state.

TCU has 48 voting members (trustees) of its governing body, although 49 are listed on the Form 990 which appears to be due to timing differences.  45 of the trustees are independent. 33 of the 49 (67%)are male while 16 of the 49 (33%) are female (note:  the Form 990 does not report gender; determinations were made based on name and google searches).

Key financial information in 2020 reported by TCU includes:

• Total revenue was $895 million (compared to $904 million in 2019) with most revenue from tuition and fees ($515 million), gains on the sale of assets ($126 million), contributions, gifts, and grants ($75 million), athletics and campus recreation ($56 million), residential, dining, and bookstore ($53 million), and investment income and royalties ($51 million).
• Expenses totaled $807 million (including $70 million in depreciation) with the largest expenses reported to be compensation ($322 million), grants and other assistance ($200 million), fees for services – primarily investment management ($75 million), office-related expenses ($63 million), travel and conferences ($25 million), and food services ($18 million).
• The largest recipient of grants were undergraduate and graduate students. 6,798 undergraduates received $159 million in cash grants, or an average of $23,400.  1,093 graduate students received $25 million, or an average of $23,000.
• Net assets were $2.4 billon at year-end.

With regards to compensation, TCU’s largest expense, 6,229 employees received $322 million in compensation, an average of $52,000.  572 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the  19 most highly compensated reported to be:

• $6,103,543:  Gary A Patterson, Head Football Coach
• $4,347,975:  James P Dixon, Mens Basketball Coach
• $2,574,219:  Victor J Boschini Jr, Chancellor
• $1,447,280:  James R Hille, Chief Investment Officer
• $1,266,143:  James L Schlossnagle, Head Baseball Coach
• $1,148,525:  Jeremiah Donati, Athletic Director
• $1,097,916:  Brian G Gutierrez, VC, Finance and Administration
• $  977,982:  Sonny J Cumbie, Assistant Football Coach
• $  913,755:  Stuart D Flynn, Dean of Medical School
• $  833,061:  Donald J Whelan, VC, University Advancement
• $  775,528:  Raymond Nowell Donovan, Provost Emeritus, Professor
• $  643,341:  Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, Provost VC, Academic Affairs
• $  571,396:  Kathryn M Cavins Tull, VC, Student Affairs
• $  553,470:  Bryan C Lucas, Chief Technology Officer
• $  373,858;  Tracy D Syler-Jones, VC, Marketing and Communication
• $  324,627:  Yohna J Chambers, VC, Human Resources
• $  260,579:  Jean M Mraesk, Board Secretary
• $  259,789:  Todd S Waldvogel, Associate VC, Facilities and Campus Planning
• $  237,305:  Kimberly K Adams, Interim Associate VC and Controller

As illustrated above, the 19 most highly compensated employees received nearly $25 million in compensation. The 6 most highly compensated employees are football, basketball and baseball coaches, an athletic director and and an investment officer.

13 of the 19 (68%) most highly compensated employees are male while 6 of the 19 (32%) are female. All ten of the most highly compensated employees are male.

TCU paid for first class or charter travel. Specifically, charter travel was provided to Chancellor Boschini, Vice Chancellors (VC’s), the Athletic Director, and coaches for purposes of travel to certain athletic events. In addition, charter travel was provided to the Chancellor and VC’s for donor visits, visits to other universities, and funeral services.

TCU paid for social club dues and initiation fees. Specifically, TCU were provided in accordance with the person’s position. Social club dues were provided for Victor Boschini, James Hille, James Schlossnagle, and Donald Whelan.  Club dues for business purposes were provided to Raymond Nowell Donovan, Victor Boschini, James Hille, James Achlossnagle, and Donald Whelan.  Social club dues for business purposes were provided to Kathryn Cabins Tull, Sonny Cumbie,Theresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, James Dixon, Raymond Nowell Donovan, Jeremiah Donati, Stuart Flynn, and Gary Patterson.

TCU paid for companion travel travel.

TCU paid for personal services (i.e. maid, chauffeur, chef). Specifically, the Chancellor received limited housekeeping services.

TCU provided a residence for personal use or a housing allowance. Specifically, the Chancellor was provided a residence for personal use while Theresa Abi-Nader was provided a $24,000 housing allowance.

For more information and details on contributions to deferred compensation plans, see the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III Supplemental Information.

133 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five most highly compensated reported to be:

• $65 million:  Turner Construction Company, of Dallas, TX for construction services
• $27 million:  Linbeck Group LLC, of Fort Worth, TX for construction services
• $24 million:  HC Beck LTD, of Dallas, TX for construction and architecture services
• $22 million:  Sodexo Inc and Affiliates, of Atlanta, GA for dining services
• $21 million:  Vaughn Construction Group, of Houston, TX for construction services

In summary, TCU raises about $900 million annually with the largest source reported to be tuition and fees. Tuition and fees are about $73,000 annually although 80% of students receive some type of financial aid (approximately $200 million was awarded to about 8,000 students or an average of $25,000).  Expenses have been about $800 annually or about $100 million less than the organization raises, allowing TCU to accumulate $2.4 billion in net assets.

The 19 most highly compensated employees received $25 million (with the most highly compensated employee, Gary Patterson, the Head Football Coach, receiving more than $6 million.

To read the Form 990 (2019 for the year ending June 30, 2020), click here.