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 Rate
80%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
40
SAT Range
870-1090
ACT Range
19-25
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”
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.
Curtis - 12/07/2020
The University of Southern Maine is a great school with a high chance of getting in no matter who you are. It has many great fields of study and most of the teachers are really nice and help you out when you need it. I give them a four out of five star rating.
Moses - 11/16/2020
University of Southern Maine is one of the best colleges with professors and small class sizes that adhere to academic excellence. I strongly recommend it to students considering to puruse their degree programs, undergraduates, graduates and certificate courses. USM offers flexible services, students can take courses online, part=time and full-time.
Sam - 04/09/2020
I personally thik that it's a great school I would recommend anyone to come to this school. The academics program is very good and our athletic program is just as good. Our indoor track team was in the top-15 in the country for division 3. Student life is great as well becasue everyone seems to get along with everyone and there are fun things to do locally that make living on campus fun.
Meghan - 12/28/2019
It's not bad but it's not great. The food could be better and I wish there were more sports going on. Some dorms need some work. The place is great, many off-campus things to do. I love the people I have met, this campus is very diverse. My professors are so far great, very helpful in and out of class.
Alexandria - 12/17/2019
I think the outside culture in terms of activities aren't really my thing, and the food is absolutely atrocious, however it is a school I really enjoy, I think we have all the resources we need (besides edible food) and really cool, unique courses such as a course on Stanley Kubrick films, or a course called Myths, Monsters, and Metamorphosis. Overall, a school I am very proud to be a part of.
Chance - 09/17/2019
I like the school a lot but at the same time feel as though I’m back in high school as my highschool was in need of renovations and the University of Southern Maine needs some serious renovations, as the elevators need a huge upgrade due to the fact they continue to get stuck in certain buildings and also look very dirty and destroyed so much so that it’s like where’s my money going certainly not to what’s needed on campus. I think if the school renovated a lot of things there would be a higher count of student also another problem is the fact some professors have very strong accents that as a student who has gone through this can’t understand and had to change to a online course to be able to complete homework since the accent was to strong.
Katherine - 07/28/2019
I came to the University of Southern Maine in 2017 from Rhode Island, and I felt it had so much more to offer than the colleges I had looked at in my home state. I fell in love with the area and welcoming atmosphere, but most of all, I felt like I was getting a proper college education.
Elizabeth - 07/27/2019
The University of Southern Maine is a great option for a student who is looking for a low cost, quieter college experience. USM is a split campus. There is a campus in Portland, Maine and in Gorham, Maine. There are some majors that are based on USM's Lewiston-Auburn campus as well. The school also offers online classes, and most live classes do have an online element. The split campus isn't an issue at all, students can ride the Metro for free, and the buses are very reliable. There are lots of opportunities to be found at this school, as long as one is willing to look. Students and professors alike are accommodating, inclusive, and friendly. Anyone looking for a quieter, but still fun undergraduate experience should consider the University of Southern Maine!
Amy - 07/07/2019
Portland, Maine is a great city and it creates a rich and vibrant lifestyle for students and professionals. The University of Maine provides a small college experience within a socially focused and inclusive environment and is an ideal setting for the individual focused on both the quality of his or her education and the overall experience.
Kabena - 05/30/2019
I love it. I actually transferred from another college, and I can honestly say that that was probably one of the best decisions I made concerning school wise. The first day that I toured USM i fell in love. This school made me feel safe and I just felt like I was at home.
Yahye - 05/17/2019
It is great school and there are a lot opportunities on campus and off campus. Most of the professors are help full and are willing to help! Specially in the science field.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Southern Maine is 80%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
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.
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.
My classmates were, generally speaking, a good mix of traditional and non-traditional students, who were friendly, school-oriented, and racially and culturally diverse.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.68%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.