University of Southern Maine vs. UNH Manchester

Deciding between University of Southern Maine and University of New Hampshire at Manchester? 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 Southern Maine

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
  • UNH Manchester Manchester, NH
  • Setting
  • University of Southern Maine Small City
  • UNH Manchester Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Southern Maine 7,604
  • UNH Manchester 663
  • Type
  • University of Southern Maine Public 4 Year
  • UNH Manchester Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • University of Southern Maine #686
  • UNH Manchester
  • Religious Affiliation
  • University of Southern Maine -
  • UNH Manchester -
  • Status
  • University of Southern Maine Non-profit
  • UNH Manchester Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • University of Southern Maine
  • UNH Manchester
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • University of Southern Maine $11,284
  • UNH Manchester $15,838
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • University of Southern Maine $27,944
  • UNH Manchester $36,418
  • Room & Board
  • University of Southern Maine $12,280
  • UNH Manchester $14,700
  • Average Net Price
  • University of Southern Maine $14,028
  • UNH Manchester $9,760
  • Average Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Maine $11,188
  • UNH Manchester $9,927
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • University of Southern Maine 95%
  • UNH Manchester 87%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • University of Southern Maine 5,822
  • UNH Manchester 481
  • Admitted
  • University of Southern Maine 4,613
  • UNH Manchester 389
  • Acceptance Rate
  • University of Southern Maine 79.2%
  • UNH Manchester 80.9%
  • Enrolled
  • University of Southern Maine 15.3%
  • UNH Manchester 17%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Southern Maine 1120
  • UNH Manchester 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Southern Maine 26
  • UNH Manchester
  • Average High School GPA
  • University of Southern Maine 3.33
  • UNH Manchester 3.35
  • Typical High School Grades
  • University of Southern Maine B+
  • UNH Manchester B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • University of Southern Maine Average
  • UNH Manchester Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • University of Southern Maine
  • UNH Manchester
  • ACT Range
  • University of Southern Maine 24/28
  • UNH Manchester
  • SAT Range
  • University of Southern Maine 990/1250
  • UNH Manchester 973/1236
  • Submit Test Scores
  • University of Southern Maine Required
  • UNH Manchester Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • University of Southern Maine
  • UNH Manchester Apr 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • University of Southern Maine 14:1
  • UNH Manchester 8:1
  • Popular Majors
  • University of Southern Maine
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • UNH Manchester
    • Business (23%)
    • Psychology (13%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Communication (11%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • University of Southern Maine 33%
  • UNH Manchester 55%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • University of Southern Maine $42,600
  • UNH Manchester $53,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • University of Southern Maine 64%
  • UNH Manchester 82%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • University of Southern Maine $22,500
  • UNH Manchester $27,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • University of Southern Maine $232
  • UNH Manchester $279
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • University of Southern Maine 37%
  • UNH Manchester 55%
  • % Women
  • University of Southern Maine 63%
  • UNH Manchester 45%
  • Racial Diversity
  • University of Southern Maine Very Low
  • UNH Manchester Very Low
  • HBCU
  • University of Southern Maine No
  • UNH Manchester No
  • % White
  • University of Southern Maine 82%
  • UNH Manchester 74%
  • % Asian
  • University of Southern Maine 2%
  • UNH Manchester 3%
  • % Black
  • University of Southern Maine 4%
  • UNH Manchester 1%
  • % Hispanic
  • University of Southern Maine 2%
  • UNH Manchester 4%
  • % Native American
  • University of Southern Maine 1%
  • UNH Manchester 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • University of Southern Maine 0%
  • UNH Manchester 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • University of Southern Maine 3%
  • UNH Manchester 2%
  • % International
  • University of Southern Maine 1%
  • UNH Manchester 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • University of Southern Maine 5%
  • UNH Manchester 15%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • University of Southern Maine 75%
  • UNH Manchester 89%
  • % Out-of-State
  • University of Southern Maine 24%
  • UNH Manchester 11%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern Maine is larger than UNH Manchester based on total student enrollment (7,604 students vs. 663 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, ME (Small City setting); University of New Hampshire at Manchester is in Manchester, NH (Midsize City setting).
  • University of Southern Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of New Hampshire at Manchester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Maine 14:1; University of New Hampshire at Manchester 8:1.

University of Southern Maine vs. UNH Manchester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Southern Maine or UNH Manchester? 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 New Hampshire at Manchester than University of Southern Maine ($9,760 vs. $14,028).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 16.5% lower than at University of New Hampshire at Manchester ($12,280 vs. $14,700).
  • University of New Hampshire at Manchester is 40.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Southern Maine (about $4,554 more per year; $15,838.00 vs. $11,284.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 30.3% higher at UNH Manchester than at University of Southern Maine (about $8,474 more per year; $36,418.00 vs. $27,944.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Maine than at University of New Hampshire at Manchester (95% vs. 87%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Maine students is 12.7% larger than aid received by University of New Hampshire at Manchester students ($11,188 vs. $9,927).

University of Southern Maine vs. UNH Manchester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Southern Maine or UNH Manchester? 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 UNH Manchester and University of Southern Maine.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern Maine (1120) is 20 points higher than at UNH Manchester (1100).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Maine 990/1250; University of New Hampshire at Manchester 973/1236.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern Maine 24/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Southern Maine - Required; UNH Manchester - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UNH Manchester Apr 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman UNH Manchester students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
  • UNH Manchester has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than University of Southern Maine (79.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at University of Southern Maine vs. 17% at UNH Manchester.

University of Southern Maine vs. UNH Manchester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Southern Maine and UNH Manchester? 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 New Hampshire at Manchester's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of Southern Maine's (33%).
  • Graduates from University of New Hampshire at Manchester earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than University of Southern Maine graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than UNH Manchester graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, University of Southern Maine graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNH Manchester graduates ($232 vs. $279).
  • More UNH Manchester graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Southern Maine students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.