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#3 Best Public Universities in Maine

University of Southern Maine Admission Requirements

Portland, Maine

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Your chances of getting into University of Southern Maine

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

85.4%
Admission Difficulty for University of Southern Maine
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at University of Southern Maine is 85.4%.  Its admission rate is the 11th lowest in Maine.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into University of Southern Maine and can you get accepted?

University of Southern Maine is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 4,736 out of the 5,544 who applied were admitted.

University of Southern Maine typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.33. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into University of Southern Maine?

85% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Southern Maine you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.33 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1110 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

University of Southern Maine GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.33

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into University of Southern Maine?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into University of Southern Maine are to have around a 3.33 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.33 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as University of Southern Maine accepts 85% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at University of Southern Maine is 3.33 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #7 in Maine for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Southern Maine students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 17.05% Good
3.75 to 3.99 7.5% Good
3.50 to 3.74 16.48% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 18.64% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 20.57% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.27% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 7.39% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.11% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

University of Southern Maine SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

998-1220

Applicants Submitting SAT 

21%
SAT Scores for University of Southern Maine
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 510
Math 25th Percentile 488
Composite 25th Percentile 998
SAT Scores for University of Southern Maine
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 590
Composite 75th Percentile 1220
Average SAT Score 1110

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Southern Maine?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at University of Southern Maine is 1110 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 998-1220. Students who get into University of Southern Maine score in the top 100 percent of all SAT test takers..  University of Southern Maine ranks #8 in the state of Maine for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1110 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. University of Southern Maine regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 998 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 998, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 890, but scores this low are outside the normal range. 21 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1110 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1109, you have around a 85% chance of being admitted. A 1220 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

University of Southern Maine admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1220 and Above Good >92%
1109 to 1220 Avg + 85%-92%
998 to 1109 Avg - 75%-85%
887 to 998 Reach 61%-75%
Less than 887 Low <61%
Calculate My Chances 

University of Southern Maine ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

1%
ACT Scores for University of Southern Maine
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 17
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for University of Southern Maine
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 29
Math 75th Percentile 24
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into University of Southern Maine?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to University of Southern Maine is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 26.  The school ranks #6 in Maine for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

1 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Southern Maine.

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into University of Southern Maine for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 85% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 26 ACT score.

University of Southern Maine admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >92%
22 to 26 Avg + 85%-92%
19 to 22 Avg - 77%-85%
16 to 19 Reach 65%-77%
Less than 16 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

75% of University of Southern Maine freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Southern Maine students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 14.73%
Top 25% of class 43.15%
Top 50% of class 75%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Southern Maine admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,442 2,102 5,544
Accepted 3,034 1,702 4,736
Acceptance Rate 88% 81% 85%
Enrolled 442 309 751
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 18% 16%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Southern Maine is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Southern Maine and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Southern Maine Application Requirements
Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
High School GPA Not considered for admission, even if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Southern Maine
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Southern Maine is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.33 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1110 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Southern Maine often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=161554 IPEDS survey data for University of Southern Maine.

Last updated February 24, 2024