University of Southern Maine

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Portland, ME
  • 0 reviews
#2 Best Public Universities in Maine

Overview

Total enrollment

7,604
University of Southern Maine overview
University of Southern Maine overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

The University of Southern Maine (USM) maintains its primary campus in Portland, Maine's largest city, with additional locations in nearby Gorham and Lewiston. Situated in the heart of Portland's urban district, the main campus spreads across 52 acres and features a mix of historic nineteenth-century buildings and modern academic facilities. Founded in 1878 as Western Maine Normal School, USM has evolved into a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in nursing, business, engineering, and environmental science. The university operates as part of the University of Maine System and serves commuter students as well as residential students who primarily live in the dormitories at the Gorham campus. Division III athletics are centered at the Gorham location, where the USM Huskies compete in the Little East Conference.

Ratings

University of Southern Maine is rated within the lower 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    7 out of 10
  • Resources
    5 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    4 out of 10
  • Value
    5 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Average
University of Southern Maine admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 990/1250
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/28

Acceptance Rate

79.2%
University of Southern Maine applications overview
  • Applications Due -
  • Enrollment Rate 15.3%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Maine Resident Tuition

$11,284

Out of State Resident Tuition

$27,944

Breakdown

In State Costs for University of Southern Maine
  • Tuition $11,284
  • Books and Supplies $1,000
  • Other Fees $2,716
  • Room and Board $12,280
  • Budget for Other Expenses $3,160
  • Total One Year Cost $30,440

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$42,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

33% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at University of Southern Maine are Health Professions, Social Sciences, and Business. 17% of students major in Health Professions, 17% in Social Sciences, and 16% in Business.

  • Health Professions 17%
  • Social Sciences 17%
  • Business 16%
  • Communication 10%
  • Visual and Performing Arts 5%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering University of Southern Maine are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=161554.

GPA calculator: University of Southern Maine GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026