University of Southern Maine
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 4,222 students.
About This School
University of Southern Maine is a public institution located in Portland, Maine with approximately 4,222 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Southern Maine has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 79%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,596 per year. The graduation rate is 40%, and the typical graduate earns $44,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of Southern Maine (USM) is a public university with campuses in Gorham and Portland, Maine, United States. It is the southernmost university in the University of Maine System. It was founded as two separate state universities, Gorham Normal School and Portland University. The two universities, later known as Gorham State College and the University of Maine at Portland, were combined in 1970 to help streamline the public university system in Maine and eventually expanded by adding the Lewiston campus in 1988.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the $11,729 average net price and low median debt of $12,887 make this one of the more affordable public options in New England, which is a genuine strength. However, the 46% graduation rate is a real concern — fewer than half of students who start here finish, which is worth taking seriously before enrolling. Worth considering if you're cost-conscious, committed to finishing, and drawn to Portland's growing economy, but go in with eyes open about the completion challenge.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 9% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,222 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Maine
University of Maine
Orono, ME · Public
Unity Environmental University
New Gloucester, ME · Private nonprofit
Southern Maine Community College
South Portland, ME · Public
Central Maine Community College
Auburn, ME · Public
University of Maine at Augusta
Augusta, ME · Public
Husson University
Bangor, ME · Private nonprofit
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.