Preliminary Data Show Educational Endowments’ Investment Returns Averaged 15.8 Percent in FY2014

The data are broken down into six categories according to size of endowment, ranging from institutions with endowment assets under $25 million to those with assets in excess of $1 billion. Larger endowments posted the highest returns for the fiscal year, as institutions with assets over $1 billion reported an average return of 16.8 percent and those with assets between $501 million and $1 billion reported an average return of 16.2 percent. Close behind, however, were the smallest participating institutions, those with assets under $25 million, whose returns averaged 16.1 percent. Returns for the other three size cohorts fell into a tight range of 15.3 percent to 15.6 percent. All returns are net of fees.