University of Southern Maine vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than University of Southern Maine based on total student enrollment (15,575 students vs. 7,604 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, ME (Small City setting); University of Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of Southern Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Maine 14:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

University of Southern Maine vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Maine or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 Massachusetts-Boston ($14,028 vs. $17,768).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 35.8% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($12,280 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 41% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Maine (about $4,624 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $11,284.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.4% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at University of Southern Maine (about $10,181 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $27,944.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Maine than at University of Massachusetts Boston (95% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 25.5% larger than aid received by University of Southern Maine students ($14,042 vs. $11,188).

University of Southern Maine vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Maine or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 Massachusetts-Boston and University of Southern Maine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (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 University of Massachusetts-Boston).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Maine 990/1250; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Maine 24/28; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Maine - Required; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
• University of Massachusetts-Boston has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than University of Southern Maine (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at University of Southern Maine vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

University of Southern Maine vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Maine and University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 Massachusetts Boston's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of Southern Maine's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Boston graduates have a $440 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Maine graduates ($22,060 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Maine graduates ($228 vs. $232).
• More University of Southern Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 58%)

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.