Maine USM vs UMaine
Envision yourself pursuing higher education in the picturesque state of Maine, where two prominent universities, the University of Southern Maine (USM) and the University of Maine (UMaine), await your exploration. While both institutions share the distinction of being public research universities, they offer distinct experiences. USM, nestled in the vibrant city of Portland, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option. UMaine, situated in the charming town of Orono, offers a more comprehensive range of undergraduate programs, including popular majors like Engineering and Forestry. Discover the unique student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional details that set these universities apart by delving into the comprehensive comparison table provided. Whether you seek a bustling urban setting or a tranquil college town, USM and UMaine offer diverse opportunities to shape your academic journey.
|
![]() University of Maine |
![]() University of Southern Maine |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Orono, Maine | Portland, Maine |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 76.0% | 65.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 96.5% | 87.0% |
Application fees | $65 | |
SAT range | 1060 - 1280 | 995 - 1230 |
ACT range | 22 - 30 | 19 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 28.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 4.0% | 1.0% |
Total number of applicants | 14,965 | 5,397 |
Total number of admissions given out | 14,435 | 4,695 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,317 | 895 |
Yield rate | 16.1% | 19.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price |
In state:
$26,968
Out of state:
$48,568
|
In state:
$23,842
Out of state:
$37,842
|
Average net price | $17,146 | $9,793 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,640
Out of state:
$33,240
|
In state:
$8,064
Out of state:
$22,064
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,814
Meal plan:
$5,760
|
Room/dormitory:
$5,460
Meal plan:
$4,980
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $11,145 |
92.0%
Average amount $8,886 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
53.0%
Average amount $5,177 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,969 |
Students taking out private loans |
14.0%
Average amount $14,918 |
6.0%
Average amount $10,975 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
10,115
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
5,956
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
2,542
Men 38.3% Women 61.7% |
2,040
Men 25.3% Women 74.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 43.3% | 23.4% |
International students | 3.8% | 1.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,838 | 1,189 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Maine Connecticut New Hampshire New York New Jersey | Maine New Hampshire Mississippi Vermont Connecticut |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 56.8% | 34.5% |
Dropout rate | 15.9% | 33.0% |
Transferred out | 25.4% | 30.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
|
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)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

















































































































