University of Southern Maine vs. WCU

University of Southern Maine and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Southern Maine
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of Southern Maine (79.2% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1120 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $14,028 at University of Southern Maine vs $13,767 at WCU. University of Southern Maine in-state tuition is about $6,654 more per year.
  • Graduation: University of Southern Maine 33% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: University of Southern Maine $42,600 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Southern Maine Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
University of Southern Maine more selective
University of Southern Maine79.2%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
University of Southern Maine990-1250
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
About even
University of Southern Maine$14,028
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $6,654 less
University of Southern Maine$11,284
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $19,314 less
University of Southern Maine$27,944
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +17 pts
University of Southern Maine33%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of Southern Maine +$3,500
University of Southern Maine$42,600
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • University of Southern Maine 5,822
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • University of Southern Maine 4,613
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • University of Southern Maine 79.2%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • University of Southern Maine 15.3%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of Southern Maine 1120
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of Southern Maine 26
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • University of Southern Maine 3.33
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • University of Southern Maine B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • University of Southern Maine Average
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • University of Southern Maine
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • University of Southern Maine 990-1250
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • University of Southern Maine 24-28
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • University of Southern Maine Required
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • University of Southern Maine
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • University of Southern Maine $11,284
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • University of Southern Maine $27,944
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • University of Southern Maine $12,280
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • University of Southern Maine $14,028
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • University of Southern Maine $11,188
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • University of Southern Maine 95%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • University of Southern Maine 33%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • University of Southern Maine $42,600
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • University of Southern Maine 64%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • University of Southern Maine $22,500
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • University of Southern Maine $232
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • University of Southern Maine 14:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • University of Southern Maine
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • University of Southern Maine Portland, ME
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • University of Southern Maine Small City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of Southern Maine 7,604
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • University of Southern Maine Public 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • University of Southern Maine #686
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern Maine in Portland, ME with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than University of Southern Maine based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 7,604 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, ME (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • University of Southern Maine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern Maine 14:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern Maine are 0.6% lower than at Western Carolina University ($12,280 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 223.8% higher at University of Southern Maine than at Western Carolina University (about $19,314 more per year; $27,944 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern Maine than at Western Carolina University (95% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern Maine students is 86.7% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($11,188 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at University of Southern Maine than at WCU (26 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at University of Southern Maine, test optional at WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at University of Southern Maine (3.33).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at University of Southern Maine vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $490 lower median loan debt than University of Southern Maine graduates ($22,010 vs. $22,500).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Southern Maine graduates ($227 vs. $232).
  • More University of Southern Maine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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