EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to the 1997 Equity Incentive Plan of MAXIMUS, Inc. of our report dated November 13, 1998 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of MAXIMUS, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 1998, and our report dated November 13, 1998 except for the fifth paragraph of Note 3, as to which the date is March 22, 1999, with respect to the supplemental consolidated financial statements of MAXIMUS, Inc. included in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Washington, D.C. March 26, 1999 S-8