University of Southern Maine
Non-profit
Public
Private
Regional
In addition to its three campuses across southern Maine, the University of Southern Maine delivers fully online undergraduate and graduate programs in areas such as business administration, leadership and organizational studies, adult and higher education, and instructional technology. Students can also select one of three online minors or seek one of 10 online certificates. USM offers on-campus programs in subjects such as biology, computer science, economics, and linguistics. Regardless of how they choose to study, USM students receive free access to tutoring, academic advising, career counseling, and research and writing assistance. Additionally, the university's Portland campus is home to the Maine School of Law, the only accredited law school in the state. Undergraduate applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, while graduate applicants need a bachelor's degree. Prospective students must also submit results from an entrance exam, such as the ACT, SAT, or GRE. On top of tuition discounts to residents of any New England state, USM offers more than $12M annually in merit- and need-based scholarships.
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Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
9% of students
were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools
with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but
are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
86% of full-time
students stayed to continue their studies the following academic
year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall
2020.
Graduation Rate Insight
95% of students
graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their
studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are
not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners.
Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
| Test scores: | Not required or recommended | High school transcript: | Required |
| High school rank: | Recommended | Letter of recommendation: | Required |
| High school GPA: | Recommended | Open admission: | No |
| Completion of college prep program: | Required | Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL): |
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollment: Implied no
Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes
Credit for qualified life experience*:
ⓘ
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials,
or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a
portfolio to earn credit.
Learning Environment
8:1
Student to faculty ratio
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.
| # | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 2 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 3 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 4 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 5 | Education | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 6 | English Language And Literature/Letters | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 7 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 8 | History | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 9 | History | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 10 | Mathematics And Statistics | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 11 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 12 | Natural Resources And Conservation | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 13 | Philosophy And Religious Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 14 | Physical Sciences | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 15 | Psychology | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 16 | Social Sciences | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
| 17 | Visual And Performing Arts | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |