About University of Southern Maine

Founded in 1878, University of Southern Maine. is a Public college. Located in Maine, which is a city setting in Maine, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 6,189 full time undergraduate students, and 1,666 full time graduate students.

The University of Southern Maine Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 14:1. There are 249 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Southern Maine include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate80%
Application Deadline
Application Fee40
SAT Range870-1090
ACT Range19-25

Admissions at USM are considered Less Selective, with ,18% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 20 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

31% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 5% were in the top quarter, and 1% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Southern Maine.

0%
“We”re apathetic”
13%
“We know about current events and vote”
77%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
10%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
33%
“Sometimes, but not often”
50%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
16%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
77%
“I feel extremely safe”
30%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
33%
“We bought the gear”
37%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
13%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
61%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
19%
“We”re a very artistic group”
10%
“Haven”t met them”
6%
“Available in class”
65%
“They keep regular office hours”
19%
“They”re always available”
10%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
63%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
27%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
37%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
50%
“We only party on weekends”
10%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
3%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
65%
“There might be people who do”
32%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
13%
“We know about current events and vote”
77%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
10%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
0%
“We save it for the classroom”
33%
“Sometimes, but not often”
50%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
6%
“I only go out in groups”
16%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
77%
“I feel extremely safe”
30%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
33%
“We bought the gear”
37%
“We live for the big game”
6%
“It”s not really our thing”
13%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
61%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
19%
“We”re a very artistic group”
10%
“Haven”t met them”
6%
“Available in class”
65%
“They keep regular office hours”
19%
“They”re always available”
10%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
63%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
27%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
37%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
50%
“We only party on weekends”
10%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
3%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
65%
“There might be people who do”
32%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    71 Students rated on-campus housing 3.3 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    65 Students rated off-campus housing 3.2 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    82 Students rated campus food 2.8 stars. 9 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    87 Students rated campus facilities 3.5 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    88 Students rated class size 3.9 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    87 Students rated school activities 3.5 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    87 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 52 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    88 Students rated academics 3.7 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.

University of Southern Maine REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of University of Southern Maine?

43 Students rated University of Southern Maine

Dakota - 07/31/2024

Overall, I love the school. I've been frustrated lately with the "higher ups" because of some of their decisions lately, like cutting my favorite programs and giving themselves raises. Majority of the student dorms are in rough shape, especially the freshman dorms. They're livable, but not great. Even the new dorms they built are falling apart on us. I love the student life, and I love my classes. I get along with my professors great, and campus life is so creative and fun.

Elaina - 01/31/2024

From my freshman year the University of Southern Maine has been pretty decent for a variety of reasons. One being the class size is similar to a high school class, this makes it for close connections with peers and professors. USM is a split campus, so you can enjoy the urban town feel of Gorham Maine and an easy ride on the bus (for free) to Portland and enjoy the fast pace city life.

Kyle - 04/29/2021

Haven’t quite began classes yet, however, all the help I have received from my advisors has been next to none. Very kind and helpful people. Did visit the campus a few years ago while I was in high school, beautiful place.

Nicholas - 03/07/2021

I enjoy attending USM and have found it to be a supportive learning environment. All of my Professors have been accessible and helpful with any questions I have. The same goes for my academic advisor. While I do not live in the dorms, I do eat some meals in the school dining hall and have always found the food very good.

University of Southern Maine FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at University of Southern Maine?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Southern Maine is 80%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would encourage myself to look more deeply into what school I chose, as my last year's school was a horrible fit for me, and I ended up being miserable. Generally when I'm unhappy, I don't do too well in the school work department, and this had a bad effect on my grades last year, which was a huge waste of money that I don't have. Also, I would tell myself that closer to home is better, that way if I need a break I can have easy access to my friends from back home.

    Read all 93 answers

  3. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The majority of non traditional students brings an amazingly diverse range of experiences and views. This helps to shape your understanding of the workd and other professionals you will someday work with.

    Read all 20 answers

  4. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    financial aid because the people working there are very rude and don't help

    Read all 16 answers

  5. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I would have to say the athletics, I love the teams here and how they do a lot of things for charities and communities.

    Read all 16 answers

  6. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    It is a public university

    Read all 15 answers

  7. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates were, generally speaking, a good mix of traditional and non-traditional students, who were friendly, school-oriented, and racially and culturally diverse.

    Read all 14 answers

  8. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The one thing I'm finding frustrating is finding help figuring out financial aid. I've contacted the office and for some reason the secretarial staff keep giving me the run around offering their advice and then telling me that should help and you only need an appointment with a counselor if my loans don't cover everything. I never end up talking to an actual financial aid advisor/counselor. I feel kind of lost in figuring out student loans and not sure if I'm covering my bases to be sure my tuition is fully covered.

    Read all 14 answers

  9. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Before I transferred to USM I was at another school in the University of Maine System. I wish that I had known before transferring that my core credits for my major wouldn't transfer. Had I known this before I came to the school I would have better planned out my class schedules so that I would still be on the traditional 4-year path.

    Read all 12 answers

  10. What kind of person should attend this school?

    There are some smaller classes, but also larger lectures, which give you variety, especially if you don't want the professor targetting you (which sometimes they tend to do). If you like variety, then come here, there is city life AND rural life to choose from, although living in a dormis always in Gorham. Student apartments are available in Portland for the city dwellers.

    Read all 12 answers

  11. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    The art program at USM is top notch. The professors are accessible and full of good information. The Gorham campus is beautiful with lots of greenery and the students are friendly and full of energy. You can grow as an artist and teachers encourage you to go beyond your own expectations to really challenge yourself. Porfessional artists are invited to campus to view student's work and USM gives students the opportunity to make connections in the real world.

    Read all 11 answers

  12. What's unique about your campus?

    My program is very well developed, I like the facilities we have a lot.

    Read all 11 answers

  13. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    A student looking for a school where they can party and have fun, passing their classes by staying inconspicuous would not find what they are loking for here. If the student is judgmental and close-minded of diversity they should stay away. If the student does not enjoy an urban setting full of opportunities for meeting new people and exploring new experiences the University of Southern Maine would be a poor choice for them.

    Read all 11 answers

Student Body

Students

58%

female

42%

male

6,189

Total Undergrad Enrollment

1,666

Total Grad Students

24%

Out-Of-State

75%

In-State

1%

International

Organizations

75

Student Organizations

4

Fraternities

3

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

17%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
1%
% Asian/Pacific Islander
2%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
2%
% White or Caucasian
72%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

94% of students attending University of Southern Maine receive some sort of financial aid. 47% were awarded federal grants. While 68% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$18,508

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$9,980

Room and Board

29,688

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$12,059
$30 - $48K
$11,998
$48 - $75K
$16,780
$75 - $110K
$18,873
$110K & UP
$20,067

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Find your perfect match from over 3 million scholarships!

START YOUR SEARCH

CAN YOU GET INTO University of Southern Maine?

Complete your profile to see if this school is a fit for you, and what your chances of admitance are.

START YOUR SEARCH

TOP STUDENT RATED COLLEGES IN Maine

View All Colleges in Maine