Columbia College vs. Maharishi International University

Should I go to Columbia College Chicago or Maharishi International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbia College or Maharishi International University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
Columbia College Chicago vs. Maharishi International University comparison
Columbia College Chicago Maharishi International University College 3 College 4
Columbia College Chicago
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Columbia College Maharishi International University
Location Chicago, IL Fairfield, IA
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 6,646 2,673
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colum.edu mum.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbia College Maharishi International University
Tuition (In State) $29,270 $16,000
Tuition (Out of State) $29,270 $16,000
Room & Board $18,000 $7,400
Avg Net Price $28,387 $16,979
Avg Grant Aid $18,020 $11,751
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 81%

Admission

Columbia College Maharishi International University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 7,701 70
Admitted 7,298 66
Acceptance Rate 94.8%Open 94.3%
Enrolled % 22%Open 54.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Jul 30, 2025

Academics

Columbia College Maharishi International University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Visual and Performing Arts (63%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Communications Technology (6%)
  • English and Literature (5%)
  • Communication (29%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (25%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Mathematics (9%)

Outcomes

Columbia College Maharishi International University
Graduation Rate 41% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,300 $29,300
Making Student Loan Payments 46% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $39,037
Median Loan Payment $268 $403

Diversity

Columbia College Maharishi International University
% Men 40% 52%
% Women 60% 48%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 55% 40%
% Black 15% 7%
% Hispanic 11% 8%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 38%
% Unknown Race 7% 0%

Students

Columbia College Maharishi International University
% In-State 57% 0%
% Out-of-State 40% 100%

Campus

Columbia College Maharishi International University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbia College Chicago is larger than than Maharishi International University based on total student enrollment (6,646 students vs. 2,673 students)

Columbia College vs. Maharishi International University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or Maharishi International University?

  • Columbia College Chicago is 82.9% more expensive to attend than Maharishi International University for in-state tuition ($29,270.00 vs. $16,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 82.9% higher at Columbia College than Maharishi International University ($29,270.00 vs. $16,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Maharishi International University than Columbia College ($16,979 vs. $28,387)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maharishi International University are 143.2% lower than costs at Columbia College Chicago ($7,400 vs. $18,000)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than Maharishi International University (99% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 53.3% larger than aid received Maharishi International University ($18,020 vs. $11,751)

Columbia College vs. Maharishi International University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or Maharishi International University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Maharishi International University or Columbia College .

  • Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Maharishi International University (94.3%)

Columbia College vs. Maharishi International University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbia College or Maharishi International University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Maharishi International University and Columbia College.

  • The graduation rate at Maharishi International University is higher than Columbia College Chicago (50% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from Columbia College Chicago earn on average $8,000 more per year than Maharishi International University graduates after ten years. ($37,300 vs. $29,300)
  • Columbia College Chicago students graduate with a $13,037 lower median federal student loan debt than Maharishi International University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $39,037)
  • Columbia College graduates are paying $135 less per month on federal student loans than Maharishi International University graduates. ($268 vs. $403)
  • More Maharishi International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/