University of Southern Maine
PublicPortland, ME
University of Southern Maine is a public mid-sized school in Portland, ME, enrolling about 4,222 undergraduates. University of Southern Maine is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 79%. Its highest-earning reported major is Mechanical Engineering (Engineering), where graduates report median earnings of $88,515/year four years out. On-campus housing isn't required, so many students live off campus.
Admissions
Application deadlines for Fall 2027 entry
- Early Action: Dec 1, 2026
Confirm on University of Southern Maine's own admissions site before you apply.
Cost & outcomes
Out-of-state students pay $16,660 more per year in tuition and fees (2.5x the in-state rate).
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field. Tuition & fees are the sticker price for a full-time first-year undergrad, before financial aid, and don't include room and board.
Paying less as an out-of-state student
University of Southern Maine takes part in this regional program, which can cut the out-of-state rate for students from nearby states.
New England Tuition Break
Residents of the other New England states get a reduced out-of-state rate in approved majors. Which majors qualify depends on your home state.
Where do you stand against University of Southern Maine's numbers?
Check your chances hereSee full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of Southern Maine weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is University of Southern Maine's acceptance rate?
University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME admits approximately 79% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for University of Southern Maine?
Admitted students at University of Southern Maine typically score between 990–1250 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for University of Southern Maine?
Admitted students at University of Southern Maine typically score between 24–28 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does University of Southern Maine cost?
University of Southern Maine's total cost of attendance is reported at $23,717 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does University of Southern Maine offer reduced tuition for out-of-state students?
Yes -- University of Southern Maine takes part in the New England Tuition Break, a regional program that lets qualifying out-of-state students pay less than the full out-of-state rate. Eligibility depends on your home state, and the school sets its own requirements.
What is out-of-state tuition at University of Southern Maine?
For 2024-25, University of Southern Maine's published tuition and required fees were $27,944 for out-of-state students and $11,284 for in-state students -- $16,660 more per year for out-of-state students. That's before financial aid, and room and board are extra.
When is the application deadline for University of Southern Maine?
University of Southern Maine's deadlines are Early Action Dec 1, 2026, per its own published admissions calendar.
Does University of Southern Maine require students to live on campus?
No -- University of Southern Maine doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Similar colleges in ME
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Saint Joseph's College of Maine
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University of New England
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Thomas College
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University of Maine
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University of Maine at Augusta
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