Maine USM vs Lesley University
When it comes to higher education, University of Southern Maine (USM) and Lesley University stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. USM, a public university located in Portland, Maine, boasts an acceptance rate of 88%, making it a more accessible option for students. Lesley University, a private university with campuses in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, has a lower acceptance rate of 72%, indicating a more selective admissions process. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with popular majors including Education, Psychology, and Business. While USM has a larger student body, with over 9,000 undergraduate students, Lesley University maintains a smaller, more intimate community with approximately 2,500 undergraduate students. Additionally, USM's graduation rate of 58% is slightly higher than Lesley University's 55%. To help you make an informed decision about your educational journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these
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![]() Lesley University |
![]() University of Southern Maine |
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Overview |
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Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Portland, Maine |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 75.0% | 65.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 86.9% | 87.0% |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | 995 - 1230 |
ACT range | N/A | 19 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 18.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 1.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 2,942 | 5,397 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,558 | 4,695 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 280 | 895 |
Yield rate | 10.9% | 19.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $41,775 |
In state:
$23,842
Out of state:
$37,842
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Average net price | $31,928 | $9,793 |
Tuition | $29,200 |
In state:
$8,064
Out of state:
$22,064
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,060
Meal plan:
$6,900
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Room/dormitory:
$5,460
Meal plan:
$4,980
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $16,316 |
92.0%
Average amount $8,886 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
59.0%
Average amount $5,124 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,969 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $15,411 |
6.0%
Average amount $10,975 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,757
Men 23.4% Women 76.6% |
5,956
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
2,253
Men 13.6% Women 86.4% |
2,040
Men 25.3% Women 74.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 23.4% |
International students | 3.7% | 1.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 799 | 1,189 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Maine New Hampshire Mississippi Vermont Connecticut |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 60.5% | 34.5% |
Dropout rate | 12.4% | 33.0% |
Transferred out | 26.3% | 30.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, Other (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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