Maine USM vs Western Connecticut State University (WCSU)
Envision yourself pursuing higher education at either the University of Southern Maine (USM) or Western Connecticut State University (WCSU). Both institutions offer distinct experiences, catering to diverse student aspirations. USM boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of applicants, while WCSU maintains a slightly more selective admissions process. When it comes to academic pursuits, USM excels in fields like Business, Education, and Nursing, whereas WCSU shines in areas such as Business, Health Professions, and Psychology. Explore the vibrant student life at USM, where undergraduates make up the majority, or immerse yourself in the more balanced undergraduate and graduate student population at WCSU. Discover the nuances that set these universities apart, and make an informed decision about your academic journey by delving into the comprehensive comparison table provided.
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![]() University of Southern Maine |
![]() Western Connecticut State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Portland, Maine | Danbury, Connecticut |
Campus setting | City: 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 | 65.0% | 69.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 87.0% | 84.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | 995 - 1230 | N/A |
ACT range | 19 - 24 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 18.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 1.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 5,397 | 4,688 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,695 | 3,978 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 895 | 733 |
Yield rate | 19.1% | 18.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not 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:
$23,842
Out of state:
$37,842
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In state:
$28,783
Out of state:
$42,187
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Average net price | $9,793 | $15,660 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,064
Out of state:
$22,064
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In state:
$6,162
Out of state:
$18,436
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,460
Meal plan:
$4,980
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Room/dormitory:
$8,020
Meal plan:
$5,856
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
92.0%
Average amount $8,886 |
78.0%
Average amount $6,312 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
45.0%
Average amount $4,969 |
58.0%
Average amount $7,417 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $10,975 |
5.0%
Average amount $12,388 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,956
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
4,172
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Graduate students |
2,040
Men 25.3% Women 74.7% |
630
Men 25.4% Women 74.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 23.4% | 28.6% |
International students | 1.2% | 0.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,189 | 1,315 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Maine New Hampshire Mississippi Vermont Connecticut | Connecticut New York New Jersey Mississippi Maine |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 11:1 |
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 | 34.5% | 52.9% |
Dropout rate | 33.0% | 12.0% |
Transferred out | 30.0% | 31.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
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