Maharishi International University vs. OU

Should I go to Maharishi International University or Ottawa University Ottawa? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Maharishi International University or OU 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.
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Maharishi International University vs. Ottawa University Ottawa comparison
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Overview

 Maharishi International University OU
Location Fairfield, IA Ottawa, KS
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 2,673 953
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - American Baptist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mum.edu ottawa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Maharishi International University OU
Tuition (In State) $16,000 $29,980
Tuition (Out of State) $16,000 $29,980
Room & Board $7,400 $11,934
Avg Net Price $16,979 $26,872
Avg Grant Aid $11,751 $23,303
% Receiving Grant Aid 81% 100%

Admission

 Maharishi International University OU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 70 3,331
Admitted 66 2,606
Acceptance Rate 94.3% 78.2%
Enrolled % 54.5% 10%
Avg High School GPA - 3.12
Typical High School Grades - B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/23
SAT Range 860/1100
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 30, 2025

Academics

 Maharishi International University OU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Communication (29%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (25%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (11%)
  • Mathematics (9%)
  • Business (33%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (18%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • English and Literature (5%)

Outcomes

 Maharishi International University OU
Graduation Rate 50% 47%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $29,300 $46,400
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 46%
Median Student Loan Debt $39,037 $21,875
Median Loan Payment $403 $226

Diversity

 Maharishi International University OU
% Men 52% 63%
% Women 48% 37%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 40% 61%
% Black 7% 13%
% Hispanic 8% 3%
% Native American 1% 5%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 38% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 14%

Students

 Maharishi International University OU
% In-State 0% 29%
% Out-of-State 100% 69%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Maharishi International University is larger than than OU based on total student enrollment (2,673 students vs. 953 students)

Maharishi International University vs. OU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Maharishi International University or OU?

  • Ottawa University Ottawa is 87.4% more expensive to attend than Maharishi International University for in-state tuition ($29,980.00 vs. $16,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.4% higher at OU than Maharishi International University ($29,980.00 vs. $16,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Maharishi International University than OU ($16,979 vs. $26,872)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Maharishi International University are 61.3% lower than costs at Ottawa University Ottawa ($7,400 vs. $11,934)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Ottawa University Ottawa than Maharishi International University (100% vs. 81%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Ottawa students is 98.3% larger than aid received Maharishi International University ($23,303 vs. $11,751)

Maharishi International University vs. OU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Maharishi International University has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than OU (78.2%)

Maharishi International University vs. OU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Maharishi International University or OU? 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 OU and Maharishi International University.

  • The graduation rate at Maharishi International University is higher than Ottawa University Ottawa (50% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Ottawa University Ottawa earn on average $17,100 more per year than Maharishi International University graduates after ten years. ($46,400 vs. $29,300)
  • Ottawa University Ottawa students graduate with a $17,162 lower median federal student loan debt than Maharishi International University graduates. ($21,875 vs. $39,037)
  • OU graduates are paying $177 less per month on federal student loans than Maharishi International University graduates. ($226 vs. $403)
  • More Maharishi International University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OU 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/