Maine USM vs UMass Lowell
When it comes to higher education, University of Southern Maine (USM) and University of Massachusetts-Lowell (UMass Lowell) stand out as two prominent institutions with distinct characteristics. USM, located in Portland, Maine, offers a vibrant campus life and a strong focus on liberal arts, while UMass Lowell, situated in Lowell, Massachusetts, emphasizes hands-on learning and boasts a robust engineering and technology program. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to diverse student populations and academic aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your educational goals and preferences.
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![]() University of Massachusetts-Lowell |
![]() University of Southern Maine |
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Overview |
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Location | Lowell, Massachusetts | Portland, Maine |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | 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 | 82.0% | 65.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 84.6% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 1170 - 1340 | 995 - 1230 |
ACT range | 25 - 32 | 19 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 18.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 2.0% | 1.0% |
Total number of applicants | 12,493 | 5,397 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,565 | 4,695 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,907 | 895 |
Yield rate | 18.1% | 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 |
In state:
$24,672
Out of state:
$42,598
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In state:
$23,842
Out of state:
$37,842
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Average net price | $13,227 | $9,793 |
Tuition |
In state:
$15,078
Out of state:
$33,004
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In state:
$8,064
Out of state:
$22,064
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,500
Meal plan:
$5,070
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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) |
78.0%
Average amount $10,449 |
92.0%
Average amount $8,886 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
59.0%
Average amount $5,148 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,969 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $10,989 |
6.0%
Average amount $10,975 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
12,884
Men 58.6% Women 41.4% |
5,956
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
4,713
Men 53.7% Women 46.3% |
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 | 5.8% | 1.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,787 | 1,189 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi New Hampshire New York New Jersey Pennsylvania | 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 | 18:1 | 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 | 69.0% | 34.5% |
Dropout rate | 28.0% | 33.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | 30.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (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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