Maharishi International University

What Maharishi International University does

Maharishi International University (MIU) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, HLC-accredited university founded in 1971 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and headquartered in Fairfield, Iowa. The institution enrolls approximately 2,100 students across more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs delivered both on-campus and online. Its curriculum is anchored in Consciousness-Based Education, which integrates daily Transcendental Meditation practice with traditional academics, and uses a distinctive block-system model in which students take only one or two courses in 4-8 week blocks, with narrative evaluation replacing letter grades.

MIU's product portfolio spans the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts (MFA in Screenwriting, Documentary Filmmaking, and Visual Art), the College of Business & Entrepreneurship (leadership, management, and coaching programs), and specialized programs in Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine, Regenerative Organic Agriculture, Sustainable Living, Physics, and Consciousness Studies. The university also offers an undergraduate Minor in Applied AI. Core "technologies" are pedagogical rather than software-based: the registered Consciousness-Based Education trademark, the block-system method, narrative evaluation, and a drug/alcohol-free campus culture reinforced by a group meditation practice.

The business model is tuition-driven plus donation-funded. Undergraduate full-time tuition is $9,000 per semester; graduate tuition ranges from $3,400 to $12,000 per semester depending on program. Housing starts at $1,700 per semester and organic dining at $2,000 per semester. More than 90% of students receive extensive financial aid, and federal loans cover approximately $10,142 per semester for MFA enrollees, effectively reducing out-of-pocket costs. Go-to-market is sales-led via rolling admissions, campus visits, webinars, and online inquiry forms, with decisions typically issued within two weeks. The institution has historically operated without significant endowment—currently ~$10 million—and in 2024 launched a $100 million "Next 100 Years" endowment campaign to fund scholarships, endowed faculty positions, and program expansion.

Name

Maharishi International University

Legal name

Maharishi International University

Website

https://miu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Maharishi International University is a nonprofit, HLC-accredited university in Fairfield, Iowa, enrolling roughly 2,100 students across 40+ on-campus and online degree programs built around a trademarked Consciousness-Based Education model that integrates Transcendental Meditation and a block-system curriculum.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Affiliated Private Research Universities (EDAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Holistic & Integrative Wellness Education (Ayurveda, Traditional Practices) (EDAAAHAH), Online Nonprofit Universities (EDAHALAK)

Keywords

• Higher education degrees
• Consciousness-based education
• Online university programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Transcendental meditation university

Headquarters

HQ city

Fairfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition: Full-time undergraduate tuition at $9,000 per semester for 12+ credits, positioned as one of America's most affordable colleges. Additional revenue from student fees, housing, and dining services.
2. Graduate Tuition: Graduate tuition varies by program, ranging from $3,400 to $12,000 per semester (6-11 credits), with a median of $5,200/semester. Programs include MFA, MA, MS, PhD, and EdD degrees.
3. Campus Housing and Dining: Single occupancy housing starts at $1,700 per semester; organic meals at the dining hall are $2,000 per semester. On-campus students pay $265/semester in fees; online students pay $95/semester.
4. Documentary Filmmaking MFA: 2-year MFA program at $12,200 per semester with federal student loan eligibility averaging $10,142 per semester, resulting in approximately $2,058 student payment per semester.
5. Screenwriting MFA: 2-year David Lynch MFA in Screenwriting at $11,200 per semester for US students with federal loan coverage of approximately $10,142, resulting in ~$1,058 student payment per semester.
6. Donations and Endowment: Active $100 million endowment campaign targeting scholarships, faculty positions, and institutional infrastructure. Current endowment approximately $10 million. Donations are tax-deductible as MIU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Maharishi International University is an accredited nonprofit university that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs integrating traditional academics with Transcendental Meditation practice under its Consciousness-Based Education approach. It offers more than 40 academic programs on-campus in Fairfield, Iowa and online worldwide, including BA, BS, MA, MS, MFA, EdD, and PhD degrees spanning cinematic arts, business and entrepreneurship, Ayurveda and integrative medicine, regenerative organic agriculture, sustainable living, consciousness and human potential, physics, and Maharishi Vedic Science.

Product overview

Maharishi International University (MIU) is an accredited nonprofit university offering a portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs centered on Consciousness-Based Education®, a distinctive approach that combines traditional academics with personal growth practices including Transcendental Meditation. The university operates on a block-system model where students take 1-2 courses in 4-8 week sessions. The product portfolio includes core programs through the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts (MFA in Screenwriting, MFA in Documentary Filmmaking, MFA in Visual Art), College of Business & Entrepreneurship (leadership, management, coaching programs), and specialized programs in Ayurveda & Integrative Health, Regenerative Organic Agriculture, Sustainable Living, Physics, and Consciousness Studies. Programs are delivered through on-campus and online formats, with many graduate programs featuring low-residency models combining in-person intensives with online coursework. The university also offers a Minor in Applied AI for undergraduate students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts: A graduate program in cinematic arts and screenwriting named after filmmaker David Lynch, incorporating Consciousness-Based Education and Transcendental Meditation into the creative process.

Products and services

• BA in Applied Arts & Sciences Flexible undergraduate degree program available online or on-campus with multiple specializations including Ayurveda Wellness, Art Therapy, Yoga, Consciousness & Human Potential, Business & Entrepreneurship, and more.
• Individualized Major (BA or BS) Custom-designed undergraduate degree allowing students to create their own interdisciplinary program of study, available online or on-campus.
• Minor in Applied AI Undergraduate minor in applied artificial intelligence, offered online.
• David Lynch MFA in Screenwriting Two-year online MFA program teaching professional screenwriting integrated with Transcendental Meditation, featuring industry mentors and guest speakers, with four immersive residencies (two on-campus in Fairfield, two online).
• MFA in Documentary Filmmaking & Social Transformation Two-year online MFA program teaching documentary filmmaking for social impact, integrating TM practice to enhance creativity, with in-person and online residencies, producing a 30+ minute documentary and portfolio.
• MFA in Creative Writing Online MFA program in creative writing, part of the university's unique offerings in consciousness-based education.
• Low-Residency MFA in Visual Art Low-residency MFA program in visual art, combining on-campus intensives with online coursework.
• MA in Consciousness & Human Potential Graduate program exploring human potential and consciousness, available online or on-campus.
• MS in Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine Advanced graduate program in Ayurvedic medicine and integrative health, designed for healthcare professionals.
• MS in Regenerative Organic Agriculture Graduate degree in regenerative organic agriculture, preparing students for careers in sustainable food systems.
• MS in Physics Graduate program in physics exploring the foundations of physics and consciousness, available online or on-campus.
• MA in Consciousness-Based Leadership & Coaching Graduate program in consciousness-based leadership and coaching, part of the College of Business & Entrepreneurship.
• PhD in Maharishi Vedic Science Doctoral research program in Maharishi Vedic Science, available online or on-campus.
• PhD in Regenerative Organic Agriculture Doctoral program in regenerative organic agriculture, one of MIU's pioneering programs in sustainable living.
• PhD in Management Doctoral program in management, available online or on-campus.
• EdD in Transformational Leadership & Coaching Doctoral program in transformational leadership and coaching, offered online.
• Certificate in Regenerative Organic Agriculture Professional certificate in regenerative organic agriculture, available online or on-campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 90% of students receive extensive financial aid
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• David Lynch FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDavid Lynch, renowned filmmaker, co-founded the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts at MIU and sponsored annual 'David Lynch Weekends' at the university. The foundation supports TM instruction for students through grants and collaborates on film projects.
• David Lynch Foundation TelevisioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmine Kouider, Chair of Department of Cinematic Arts & New Media, is a founding member of David Lynch Foundation Television, which collaborates on documentary and film projects with MIU students and faculty.
• Industry Guest Speakers and InstructorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm industry professionals including Peter Farrelly (Oscar-winning director), Matthew Weiner (creator of Mad Men), Susan Seidelman, J.V. Hart, David Lowery, and others serve as residency instructors and guest speakers in the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Goddard College: Small progressive private nonprofit college in Vermont known for narrative evaluation, self-designed study, and low-residency models. Directly comparable in pass/no pass pedagogy and learner-directed ethos.
• Naropa University: Buddhist-inspired small private nonprofit university in Boulder, Colorado, integrating contemplative practice into the curriculum. Directly comparable in size, mission, faith/spiritual orientation, and small-campus holistic education model.
• Evergreen State College: Public liberal arts college in Washington known for narrative evaluation instead of grades and interdisciplinary, progressive pedagogy. Strongly comparable in the narrative-evaluation and holistic-learning dimensions.
• Bastyr University: Private nonprofit university specializing in natural medicine, integrative health, and wellness-oriented graduate programs. Comparable in niche graduate wellness programs and the Ayurveda/integrative medicine adjacency.
• Prescott College: Small private nonprofit college in Arizona with experiential, environmental, and social-justice focus. Comparable in enrollment scale (~2,000 students), holistic pedagogy, and emphasis on sustainability and learner-centered education.
• Maharishi European Research University (MERU): Sister Maharishi institution in the Netherlands offering Consciousness-Based Education and TM-integrated programs. The closest peer globally in mission, pedagogy, and organizational lineage.
• Saybrook University: Private nonprofit university emphasizing humanistic and transformative education, with mostly online and low-residency programs. Comparable in size, online/low-residency model, and human-potential-oriented mission.
• Antioch University: Multi-campus private nonprofit university with progressive, social-change-oriented mission and extensive online and low-residency delivery. Closely comparable business model, low-residency MFA-style programs, and adult-learner focus.
• University of the People: Tuition-free, online-only nonprofit accredited university serving a global, low-cost student base. Closely comparable in affordability-first positioning, online delivery, and global student mix (100+ countries).

Broad incumbents

• Southern New Hampshire University: Large private nonprofit university with a dominant online and low-residency business model. Adjacent peer in online nonprofit delivery and adult-learner focus, but materially larger in scale and program breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/maharishiu
• Facebookfacebook.com/Maharishi.University
• Instagraminstagram.com/maharishiu
• Xx.com/maharishiuni
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maharishi-international-university

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maharishi International University