UH at Hilo vs. University of Southern Maine

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii at Hilo in Hilo, HI with University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern Maine is larger than UH at Hilo based on total student enrollment (7,604 students vs. 2,668 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii at Hilo is located in Hilo, HI (Remote Town setting); University of Southern Maine is in Portland, ME (Small City setting).
• University of Hawaii at Hilo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Hawaii at Hilo 11:1; University of Southern Maine 14:1.

UH at Hilo vs. University of Southern Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Hilo or University of Southern Maine? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Hawaii at Hilo than University of Southern Maine ($12,673 vs. $14,028).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Hilo are 5.7% lower than at University of Southern Maine ($11,586 vs. $12,280).
• University of Southern Maine is 44% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH at Hilo (about $3,446 more per year; $11,284.00 vs. $7,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.4% higher at University of Southern Maine than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (about $7,146 more per year; $27,944.00 vs. $20,798.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Maine than at University of Hawaii at Hilo (95% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Maine students is 41.3% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Hilo students ($11,188 vs. $7,918).

UH at Hilo vs. University of Southern Maine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Hilo or University of Southern Maine? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Southern Maine and UH at Hilo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern Maine (1120) is 60 points higher than at UH at Hilo (1060).
• Incoming University of Southern Maine students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 18 at UH at Hilo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 945/1175; University of Southern Maine 990/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 15/22; University of Southern Maine 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Hilo - Test optional; University of Southern Maine - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH at Hilo Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UH at Hilo students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
• University of Southern Maine has a higher acceptance rate (79.2%) than UH at Hilo (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at UH at Hilo vs. 15.3% at University of Southern Maine.

UH at Hilo vs. University of Southern Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Hilo and University of Southern Maine? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Hawaii at Hilo's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than University of Southern Maine's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Southern Maine earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than UH at Hilo graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Hawaii at Hilo graduates have a $2,597 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Maine graduates ($19,903 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UH at Hilo graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Maine graduates ($205 vs. $232).
• More University of Southern Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH at Hilo students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.