Des Moines Area Community College vs Maharishi International University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Des Moines Area Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,018 against a $44,684 total, vs $27,981 at Maharishi International University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Des Moines Area Community College | Maharishi International University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,171 | $14,956 |
| Total net cost | $44,684 | $59,824 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,018 | $27,981 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $24,781 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$191,524 | -$467,404 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Des Moines Area Community College or Maharishi International University?
Des Moines Area Community College, at $11,171 a year after aid versus $14,956 — a gap of $3,785 a year, or $15,140 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Des Moines Area Community College or Maharishi International University graduates earn more?
Des Moines Area Community College graduates report a median $41,018 ten years after entry, $13,037 more than the $27,981 at Maharishi International University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Des Moines Area Community College or Maharishi International University?
Des Moines Area Community College: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $24,781 at Maharishi International University, a difference of $13,781. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Maharishi International University, against 39% at Des Moines Area Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.