UL Lafayette vs. University of Southern Maine

Comparable Facts

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

University of Louisiana at Lafayette is larger than University of Southern Maine based on total student enrollment (15,665 students vs. 7,604 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located in Lafayette, LA (Midsize City setting); University of Southern Maine is in Portland, ME (Small City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Lafayette 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 Louisiana at Lafayette 18:1; University of Southern Maine 14:1.

UL Lafayette vs. University of Southern Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UL Lafayette 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 Louisiana at Lafayette than University of Southern Maine ($13,017 vs. $14,028).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette are 1.4% lower than at University of Southern Maine ($12,108 vs. $12,280).
• University of Southern Maine is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UL Lafayette (about $866 more per year; $11,284.00 vs. $10,418.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at University of Southern Maine than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (about $3,798 more per year; $27,944.00 vs. $24,146.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Maine than at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Lafayette students is 5.1% larger than aid received by University of Southern Maine students ($11,762 vs. $11,188).

UL Lafayette vs. University of Southern Maine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UL Lafayette 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 UL Lafayette.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1180) is 60 points higher than at University of Southern Maine (1120).
• Incoming University of Southern Maine students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at UL Lafayette).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 1120/1240; University of Southern Maine 990/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Lafayette 23/28; University of Southern Maine 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UL Lafayette - Test optional; University of Southern Maine - Required.
• Accepted freshman UL Lafayette students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
• UL Lafayette has a higher acceptance rate (87%) than University of Southern Maine (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.7% at UL Lafayette vs. 15.3% at University of Southern Maine.

UL Lafayette vs. University of Southern Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UL Lafayette 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 Louisiana at Lafayette's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than University of Southern Maine's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Louisiana at Lafayette earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,000 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Lafayette graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Maine graduates ($19,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UL Lafayette graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Maine graduates ($201 vs. $232).
• More University of Southern Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UL Lafayette students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 55%)

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.