Political science
Ranked #194 of 388 for valuePolitical Science and Government · 27 graduates
- Earnings 4 yrs after
- $65,836
- Ranked-college median: $63,181
- Median debt
- $22,219
- Ranked-college median: $19,500

Portland, ME, United States
University of Southern Maine's acceptance rate is 79.2% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, 5,397 applicants). It is a public university in Portland, ME, with 4,222 students. The average net price after grants is $14,927 a year. The six-year graduation rate is 43.2%, and median earnings ten years after entry are $57,989.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Acceptance rate: 79.2% (fall admissions, CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). 4,695 of 5,397 applicants were admitted. Middle 50% test scores: SAT Reading & Writing 500–650, SAT Math 490–600, ACT 24–28. Admissions details
Larger than 74% of colleges
National median 1,603
Five questions match you to a college identity, then show where University of Southern Maine sits for you.
Take the fit quizUniversity of Southern Maine admitted 79.2% of 5,397 applicants.
79.2% of applicants were admitted
18.3% of admitted students enrolled (yield)
Average net price
$14,927
What students paid per year on average after grants and scholarships. Your price depends on family income.
Published price vs. what students paid
Students receiving Pell Grants
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Start with the Pell Grant estimator See a sample reportGraduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
Students who return for a second year
Median earnings
$57,989
Former students who received federal aid
Bachelor's majors where University of Southern Maine is ranked in CollegesRef's value rankings. Earnings are medians 4 years after graduating, for graduates who received federal aid; the tick on each bar marks the median of all ranked colleges in that field.
Political Science and Government · 27 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services · 27 graduates
Communication and Media Studies · 44 graduates
Accounting and Related Services · 23 graduates
Marketing · 31 graduates
Biology, General · 30 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations · 102 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing · 176 graduates
Psychology, General · 50 graduates
Total students
4,222
Academic calendar
Semester
Carnegie classification
Master's university
A College or University that also has a large number of Master’s Degree programs.
Where the campus is, how far it sits from a major city, and other colleges within reach.
University of Southern MainePortland, ME, United States
Distances are straight-line miles, not driving distance. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles by OpenFreeMap and OpenMapTiles.
University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME, United States
Small city
Inside an urbanized area and a principal city.
Nearest major cityBoston, MA · about 98 mi
In the city250 mi
Ask about admissions, cost or campus life at University of Southern Maine. Answers come from CollegesRef data.
Ask CollegesRefWhat sets this college apart, grouped by theme, each with what it means and the data or editorial tag behind it.
Cost & aid
Affordable
Lower cost than many comparable colleges for a typical family.
Average net price $14,927 a year after aid
NCAA Division III · No athletic scholarships; athletes balance sports and academics.
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Start with the quiz See a sample reportAdmit rate, net price and outcomes for University of Southern Maine and University of Maine Main Campus, side by side.
Compare with University of Maine Main CampusUniversity of Southern Maine admitted 79.2% of 5,397 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the most recent release. That is the figure colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In-state tuition at University of Southern Maine is $12,630 and out-of-state tuition is $31,080 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. The average net price after grants is $14,927 a year.
The average net price at University of Southern Maine, what first-time, full-time students paid after grants and scholarships, was $14,927 a year in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Your own price depends on family income; the college's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.
43.2% of first-time, full-time students at University of Southern Maine graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
The closest matches are University of Maine, Maine Maritime Academy, and Westfield State University, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.
Last checked Nov 3, 2026
Figures come from federal reporting. Text marked “CollegesRef editorial” is our own summary, and similar-college lists come from CollegesRef matching. How we source data
Similar colleges
Bars show profile closeness out of 100: how near each college's graduation rate, size, admit rate, net price, Carnegie class, and control are to University of Southern Maine. The order also uses CollegesRef matching tiers, so a later card can score higher.
University of Maine Main Campus
Orono, ME
Average net price $17,224, close to $14,927
Profile closeness66/100
Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME
Same control type (public)
Profile closeness47/100
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA
Graduation rate 49%, close to 43%
Profile closeness92/100
Framingham State University
Framingham, MA
Graduation rate 46%, close to 43%
Profile closeness90/100
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
Graduation rate 45%, close to 43%
Profile closeness89/100
Salem State University-Massachusetts
Salem, MA
Graduation rate 49%, close to 43%
Profile closeness89/100
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT
Graduation rate 50%, close to 43%
Profile closeness85/100
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT
Graduation rate 51%, close to 43%
Profile closeness85/100
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