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Gorham , ME
The University of Southern Maine is a public university located in Portland, Maine. Established in 1878, it is a part of the University of Maine System and offers a wide range of programs and degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels. The university is known for its strong emphasis on community engagement and practical learning experiences.
USM has three main campuses in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston-Auburn. The Portland campus is located in the state's largest city and offers programs in liberal arts, business, education, and health sciences. The Gorham campus, situated just 10 miles from Portland, provides a more traditional college setting with a focus on liberal arts, sciences, and professional programs. The Lewiston-Auburn campus, located in central Maine, offers a variety of programs in fields such as arts and humanities, social sciences, and nursing.
The University of Southern Maine is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. It values collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and social responsibility. Students at USM benefit from small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and numerous internship and research opportunities. The university also has strong ties with local industries and organizations, providing valuable networking opportunities for its students. With its focus on practical learning and community engagement, the University of Southern Maine prepares students for successful careers and meaningful contributions to their communities.
Located in Gorham, ME and set in an urban environment, University of Southern Maine is a public university. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 79%. The freshman retention rate at University of Southern Maine is 75.58% and the six-year graduation rate is 46%.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about University of Southern Maine.
Quick Facts
5,520
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
46%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the university in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Read on to learn some essential info about admission policy and requirements at University of Southern Maine.
In 2024, the school accepted 4,618 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 12% and ACT scores 1%. 2.4% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 36.1% between 1,200 and 1,399, 36.1% between 1,000 and 1,199, 22.9% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2.4% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 11.11, 55.56 between 24-29, 11.11 in the range between 18-23, and 22.22 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.34. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of Southern Maine.
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
The freshman retention rate for University of Southern Maine was 75.58% in 2024, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 46%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of Southern Maine in 2024 was 7,528.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 18% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 5,520, 76 of which were international students. 457 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 1,534 male and 3,018 female full-time students in 2024. 189 full-time graduate men and 418 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Southern Maine.
This school had 116 Asian students and 344 Afro-American students in 2024. 193 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 175 as multirace. The school also had 4 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 26 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 97 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of Southern Maine? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees for area resident were $8,910, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $26,250. Tuition costs at University of Southern Maine for international students were $26,250. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $2,910 in 2024.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $26,250 | $2,910 | $29,160 |
| In-State | $8,910 | $2,910 | $11,820 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,000.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At University of Southern Maine, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $12,120. If you only needed a dormitory room, you had to pay $6,380 for the 2024 academic year.
| Tuition | $ 8,910 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,120 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,000 |
| Total Expense | $ 22,030 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at University of Southern Maine.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 483 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $15,298.92.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
2,047 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of Southern Maine is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 2,190. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $10,145,044, and state $3,854,624. The students of University of Southern Maine received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $10,869,288, and external in the amount of $2,028,304.
$4,808
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
225 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 61 full-time freshman. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $2,889,450. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $973,762 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Campus Life
Not everything at University of Southern Maine is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at University of Southern Maine.
Its campus is 144 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the University of Southern Maine band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a talent for media and communication? University of Southern Maine publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of Southern Maine, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of Southern Maine.
All in all, campus life at University of Southern Maine is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Southern Maine.
Career Counselling
There is campus employer recruitment for all the students.
FAQ
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University of Southern Maine is located in Gorham, ME.
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University of Southern Maine offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of Southern Maine is 79%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of Southern Maine is 75.58%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.