University of Maine vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Maine in Orono, ME with University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Maine is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (12,029 students vs. 10,619 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Maine is located in Orono, ME (Small Suburban setting); University of South Dakota is in Vermillion, SD (Distant Town setting).
• University of Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Maine 15:1; University of South Dakota 16:1.

University of Maine vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Maine or USD? 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 Maine than USD ($18,061 vs. $19,133).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Dakota are 22.8% lower than at University of Maine ($10,356 vs. $13,410).
• University of Maine is 41.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $3,894 more per year; $13,326.00 vs. $9,432.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184% higher at University of Maine than at University of South Dakota (about $23,814 more per year; $36,756.00 vs. $12,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maine than at University of South Dakota (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maine students is 129.6% larger than aid received by University of South Dakota students ($12,909 vs. $5,623).

University of Maine vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Maine or USD? 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 USD and University of Maine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Dakota (1220) is 20 points higher than at University of Maine (1200).
• Incoming University of Maine students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at USD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maine 1070/1330; University of South Dakota 1125/1315.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maine 22/30; University of South Dakota 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Maine - Test-free; USD - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at University of Maine (3.42).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than University of Maine (96.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at University of Maine vs. 24.1% at USD.

University of Maine vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Maine and USD? 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 Maine's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of South Dakota's (47%).
• Graduates from University of South Dakota earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than University of Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,200 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Dakota graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of Maine graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Maine graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More University of Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

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.