University of Maine vs. University of Southern Maine

Deciding between University of Maine and University of Southern Maine? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Maine
University of Southern Maine

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Maine Orono, ME
  • University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
  • Setting
  • University of Maine Small Suburban
  • University of Southern Maine Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Maine 12,029
  • University of Southern Maine 7,604
  • Type
  • University of Maine Public 4 Year
  • University of Southern Maine Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Maine #514
  • University of Southern Maine #686
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Maine -
  • University of Southern Maine -
  • Status
  • University of Maine Non-profit
  • University of Southern Maine Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Maine
  • University of Southern Maine

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Maine $13,326
  • University of Southern Maine $11,284
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Maine $36,756
  • University of Southern Maine $27,944
  • Room & Board
  • University of Maine $13,410
  • University of Southern Maine $12,280
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Maine $18,061
  • University of Southern Maine $14,028
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Maine $12,909
  • University of Southern Maine $11,188
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Maine 98%
  • University of Southern Maine 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Maine 14,044
  • University of Southern Maine 5,822
  • Admitted
  • University of Maine 13,572
  • University of Southern Maine 4,613
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Maine 96.6%
  • University of Southern Maine 79.2%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Maine 15.4%
  • University of Southern Maine 15.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Maine 1200
  • University of Southern Maine 1120
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Maine 26
  • University of Southern Maine 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Maine 3.42
  • University of Southern Maine 3.33
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Maine B+
  • University of Southern Maine B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Maine Difficult
  • University of Southern Maine Average
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Maine
  • University of Southern Maine
  • ACT Range
  • University of Maine 22/30
  • University of Southern Maine 24/28
  • SAT Range
  • University of Maine 1070/1330
  • University of Southern Maine 990/1250
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Maine Test-free
  • University of Southern Maine Required
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Maine
  • University of Southern Maine

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Maine 15:1
  • University of Southern Maine 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Maine
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • University of Southern Maine
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Maine 60%
  • University of Southern Maine 33%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Maine $46,700
  • University of Southern Maine $42,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Maine 74%
  • University of Southern Maine 64%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Maine $26,000
  • University of Southern Maine $22,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Maine $268
  • University of Southern Maine $232

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Maine 49%
  • University of Southern Maine 37%
  • % Women
  • University of Maine 51%
  • University of Southern Maine 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Maine Very Low
  • University of Southern Maine Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Maine No
  • University of Southern Maine No
  • % White
  • University of Maine 82%
  • University of Southern Maine 82%
  • % Asian
  • University of Maine 2%
  • University of Southern Maine 2%
  • % Black
  • University of Maine 2%
  • University of Southern Maine 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Maine 3%
  • University of Southern Maine 2%
  • % Native American
  • University of Maine 1%
  • University of Southern Maine 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Maine 0%
  • University of Southern Maine 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Maine 3%
  • University of Southern Maine 3%
  • % International
  • University of Maine 2%
  • University of Southern Maine 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Maine 5%
  • University of Southern Maine 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Maine 64%
  • University of Southern Maine 75%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Maine 35%
  • University of Southern Maine 24%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • University of Maine Yes
  • University of Southern Maine Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • University of Maine No
  • University of Southern Maine No
  • Meal Plan
  • University of Maine Yes
  • University of Southern Maine Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • University of Maine No
  • University of Southern Maine Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • University of Maine No
  • University of Southern Maine No
  • Learn More
  • University of Maine Details
  • University of Southern Maine Details

Comparable Facts

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

University of Maine is larger than University of Southern Maine based on total student enrollment (12,029 students vs. 7,604 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Maine is located in Orono, ME (Small Suburban setting); University of Southern Maine is in Portland, ME (Small City setting).
  • University of Maine 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 Maine 15:1; University of Southern Maine 14:1.

University of Maine vs. University of Southern Maine Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Maine 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 Southern Maine than University of Maine ($14,028 vs. $18,061).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 8.4% lower than at University of Maine ($12,280 vs. $13,410).
  • University of Maine is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Maine (about $2,042 more per year; $13,326.00 vs. $11,284.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.5% higher at University of Maine than at University of Southern Maine (about $8,812 more per year; $36,756.00 vs. $27,944.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maine than at University of Southern Maine (98% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maine students is 15.4% larger than aid received by University of Southern Maine students ($12,909 vs. $11,188).

University of Maine vs. University of Southern Maine Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Maine 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 University of Maine.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Maine (1200) is 80 points higher than at University of Southern Maine (1120).
  • Incoming University of Maine students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at University of Southern Maine (26).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maine 1070/1330; University of Southern Maine 990/1250.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Maine 22/30; University of Southern Maine 24/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Maine - Test-free; University of Southern Maine - Required.
  • Accepted freshman University of Maine students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
  • University of Maine has a higher acceptance rate (96.6%) than University of Southern Maine (79.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at University of Maine vs. 15.3% at University of Southern Maine.

University of Maine vs. University of Southern Maine Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Maine 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 Maine's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Southern Maine's (33%).
  • Graduates from University of Maine earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,700 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than University of Maine graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Maine graduates ($232 vs. $268).
  • More University of Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Maine students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 64%)

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.