Maharishi International University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Fairfield, Iowa. It enrolls 922 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Fair
51/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes23
Value15
Affordability83
Selectivity9
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 95.7%, Maharishi International University is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
95.7%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyTest OptionalApplicants choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Maharishi International University is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
15.8 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Maharishi International University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $14,956 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$14,956
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
57%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
65%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$16,530
Room & Board (on-campus)
$7,400
Room & Board (off-campus)
$8,000
Books & Supplies
$1,000
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,600
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,000
Total Cost of Attendance
$27,892
Application fee: $20 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$14,269
$30,001 – $48,000
$16,585
$48,001 – $75,000
$14,066
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,954
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$11,50025%percentile
$24,781Medianpercentile
$40,20075%percentile
$52,58390%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $12,500
↓ $12,281
No Pell $8,792
↓ $15,989
Dependent students $11,000
↓ $13,781
Independent students $11,610
↓ $13,171
Female students $9,184
↓ $15,597
Male students $20,062
↓ $4,719
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $7,748, less than completers ($24,781), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
36% of full-time students who enrolled at Maharishi International University graduate within six years, and 63% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
36%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
63%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Maharishi International University earn a median of $27,981 ten years after first enrolling. That's below the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$27,981
Earning > $25K
48%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
What this means:
Moderate return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$1.9 of median earnings 10 years out. Compare carefully against your funding plan.
Who Studies Here
Maharishi International University is home to 922 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 34% are first-generation college students, 51% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
922
Part-Time
51%
First-Generation
34%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 38.6%356
Hispanic 10.2%94
Black 7.4%68
Other 6.7%62
Asian 1.4%13
International 1.3%12
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Maharishi International University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: RemoteFairfield, Iowa
Housing
Strongly residential906 beds for 922 students
Adult Learners
75%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Maharishi International University offers
a varied set of programs:
26 distinct programs across
11 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Maharishi International University is 13:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
13:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$61M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$33,413
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
139 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
28
20%
$33,114
Associate Professors
18
13%
$44,335
Assistant Professors
49
35%
$33,720
Instructors
42
30%
$29,630
Lecturers
2
1%
$11,250
Pros & Cons of Maharishi International University
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Maharishi International University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Tight-knit, close community feel
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Below-average post-graduation earnings
Most students take on federal loans
Best for:
Based on the data, Maharishi International University is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; working adults or students needing part-time study options; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Maharishi International University
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Maharishi International University.
Is Maharishi International University hard to get into?
Maharishi International University has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 95.7%.
What is the acceptance rate at Maharishi International University?
Maharishi International University has an acceptance rate of 95.7%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Maharishi International University cost?
The average net price after aid at Maharishi International University is $14,956 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Maharishi International University worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $27,981 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $14,956 per year. That's roughly 1.9x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Maharishi International University known for?
Maharishi International University is best known for its programs in Computer Science, Alternative Medicine, Alternative Medicine. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Maharishi International University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Maharishi International University are $27,981, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Maharishi International University accredited?
Yes. Maharishi International University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Maharishi International University?
Maharishi International University enrolls 922 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Maharishi International University?
Maharishi International University graduates 36% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Maharishi International University a public or private college?
Maharishi International University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Maharishi International University located?
Maharishi International University is located in Fairfield, Iowa.
What programs does Maharishi International University offer?
Maharishi International University offers 26 distinct programs. The most popular include Computer Science, Alternative Medicine, Alternative Medicine.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Maharishi International University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Maharishi International University is 13:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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