In a recently released national survey, Emory ranks 16th of the 849 schools evaluated for their overall endowment market value.
Figures were released Jan. 22 in the annual rankings for the nation's largest endowments in higher education in the 2013 NACUBO-Commonwealth Study of Endowments (NCSE), which gathered data from nearly 850 U.S. colleges, universities and affiliated foundations. NACUBO is the National Association of College and University Business Officers.
In NCSE's 2013 survey, Emory continues to hold last year's 16th overall ranking in market value of its endowment. During this time period, the endowment increased from $5.46 billion to $5.82 billion. The change in the market value of the endowment reflects the net impact of university spending withdrawals, management and investment fees, donor gifts and investment gains (rate of return).
"We are pleased that Emory's endowment generated a solid rate of return that is competitive with those of peer institutions. Emory's portfolio is constructed with the long-term in mind, and we adhere to the belief that the most favorable long-term results will be achieved through thoughtful investment research and diversification," says Mary Cahill, the university's vice president of investments and chief investment officer.
Emory's rate of return on the actively managed funds in its endowment was 11.3 percent for the one-year period ending June 30, 2013, which compared favorably to the portfolio asset class composite benchmark of 9.8 percent. The average rate of return for schools with endowments over $1 billion was 11.7 percent for the same period.