University of Southern Maine
#4 Best Online Colleges in Maine- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,958 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $13,596 C+
- 21% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 79% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.6 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Best Online Colleges in Maine.
Every $1 spent returns $19.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,010,504.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 23% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 43% — 24% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Southern Maine Matters
University of Southern Maine is a public university in Portland, ME and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,222
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose University of Southern Maine
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 79% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 990–1250. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,596 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,958 ten years after enrolling — 23% above the typical college, against $19,060 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.57 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 4,222 students and an acceptance rate of 79%, the University of Southern Maine is a solid choice for those looking to pursue degrees in practical fields like Health Professions, Business and Marketing, Social Sciences, Psychology, and Visual and Performing Arts. This school is a good fit for students who appreciate a welcoming environment where they can engage with faculty and peers in a supportive setting. It caters to a diverse range of interests, ensuring that students can find their niche and thrive.
When it comes to life after graduation, the data suggests that graduates earn an average of $49,958 within ten years of leaving the university. This figure helps contextualize what students can expect in terms of financial mobility. While the graduation rate sits at 43%, those who do complete their degrees are likely to see a return on their investment, especially considering the affordability of the school. With a net price of $13,596, it is accessible to many, particularly those who qualify for Pell Grants, which go to 28% of the student body.
Looking at the practical aspects, students typically graduate with a median debt of $19,060, which is relatively manageable compared to potential earnings. This balance between cost and earning potential makes it an appealing option for many. Students who thrive here tend to be those who are proactive about engaging with their education and are ready to take advantage of the resources at their disposal, whether in academics or career preparation.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Southern Maine is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Southern Maine? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Portland, Maine, University of Southern Maine admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 79%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,116. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- SAT Average
- 1116
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 990–1250
- ACT Range
- 24–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 40%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,420
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 33%
- Applicants
- 5,544
- Admitted
- 4,736
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Southern Maine? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Southern Maine is $27,944, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,596. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,999 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,060 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $11,284
- Out-of-State
- $27,944
- Avg Net Price
- $13,596
- Median Debt
- $19,060
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 35%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,999
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,847
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,550
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,180
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Southern Maine Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Southern Maine earn a median of $49,958, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,107
- 8 Years
- $47,454
- 10 Years
- $49,958
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.38x
- Earning > $25K
- 64%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (142)
- 20%
- 100% (142)
- 20%
- 100% (142)
- 20%
- 100% (142)
- 20%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Southern Maine Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Southern Maine delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,596/year ($54,384 total). Graduates earn $49,958 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,064,888 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,010,504 (19.6× your investment). The median debt is $19,060, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $54,384
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,064,888
- Net Return
- $1,010,504
- ROI Multiple
- 19.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,596
- Median Debt
- $19,060
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-2,064,000
Top Programs
The fields University of Southern Maine awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Health Professions 21%
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Social Sciences 15%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Psychology 5%
- Communications 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Education 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Southern Maine's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Southern Maine? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Portland, Maine, University of Southern Maine admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 79%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,116. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Southern Maine? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Southern Maine is $27,944, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,596. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,999 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,060 in federal student loans.
Is University of Southern Maine Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Southern Maine earn a median of $49,958, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Southern Maine? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Southern Maine. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Southern Maine.
- Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Close peer48% grad $45,344 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · Close peer43% grad $48,587 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL · Close peer46% grad $51,989 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL · Close peer45% grad $54,163 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · Close peer40% grad $47,872 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Angelo State UniversitySan Angelo, TX · Close peer42% grad $50,116 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Southern Maine? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Southern Maine. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.05), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note