Overview
Enrollment
The University of Southern Maine (USM) maintains its primary campus in Portland, Maine's largest city, with additional locations in nearby Gorham and Lewiston. Situated in the heart of Portland's urban district, the main campus spreads across 52 acres and features a mix of historic nineteenth-century buildings and modern academic facilities. Founded in 1878 as Western Maine Normal School, USM has evolved into a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in nursing, business, engineering, and environmental science. The university operates as part of the University of Maine System and serves commuter students as well as residential students who primarily live in the dormitories at the Gorham campus. Division III athletics are centered at the Gorham location, where the USM Huskies compete in the Little East Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
University of Southern Maine is rated within the lower 45% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of Southern Maine within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#685 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#229 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Colleges in Maine
#2 in Best Public Colleges in Maine
#24 in Best Value Colleges in Maine
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 995/1280 |
| ACT | 23/26 |
| GPA | 3.33 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Maine Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $2,604 |
| Room and Board | $11,650 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,242 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,812 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| Other Fees | $2,604 |
| Room and Board | $11,650 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,242 |
| Total One Year Cost | $42,996 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Health Professions | 17% |
| Social Sciences | 17% |
| Business | 16% |
| Communication | 10% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering University of Southern Maine are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about University of Southern Maine.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=161554 IPEDS survey data for University of Southern Maine.
Current students may use the University of Southern Maine GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025