Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Portland, Maine
79.3% Acceptance Rate
University of Southern Maine — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
79.3%Acceptance Rate
3.33Avg GPA
1130Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$21,381Annual Cost
$49,958Grad Salary
26.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
79.3%
Avg GPA
3.33
Avg SAT
1130
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
995–1280
ACT Middle 50%
23–26
Avg Net Price
$11,729
Need-Based Aid
26.3% receive Pell
University of Southern Maine is a public university known for its commitment to accessible education, student success, and regional impact. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a dynamic, urban-connected environment, the university fosters a culture of critical inquiry, leadership, and professional preparation. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a reliable and meaningful choice for students aiming to achieve their potential.
University of Southern Maine Acceptance Rate
University of Southern Maine runs an open-access admission policy. With a 79.3% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 79.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.33 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.13 – 3.32
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.88
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Southern Maine Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Southern Maine is December 15 for Spring applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 125 days left — Spring
Spring
December 15
Fall Priority
March 1
Fall Final
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
University of Southern Maine GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Southern Maine is 3.33. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.03–3.33 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.53–3.73.University of Southern Maine GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.33 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.13 – 3.32
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.93 – 3.12
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.92
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No personal essay, no letter of recommendation, and no application fee required for first-year admission; fully test-optional (SAT/ACT not required, no penalty for omission)
- Early Action: apply by November 15, submit all materials by December 1, guaranteed decision by January 15
- Recognized specifically for programs in nursing, education, and business; offers 140+ undergraduate degrees
- Campus located directly along Portland Harbor in Portland, Maine - the state's largest city
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at University of Southern Maine
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Southern Maine's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Southern Maine Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Southern Maine is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Southern Maine Without SAT or ACT?
University of Southern Maine requires SAT or ACT scores. Applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.
University of Southern Maine Average SAT Score: 1130
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Southern Maine is 1130 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1130 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1280 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Southern Maine allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 995, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Southern Maine. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 565 | 490 | 640 |
| SAT Reading | 573 | 505 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1130 | 995 | 1280 |
Below 995, you're behind most admitted students; at 1280 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of Southern Maine with a 1300 SAT?
A 1300 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of Southern Maine's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Southern Maine ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of Southern Maine is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 19 | 28 |
| ACT English | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 23 | 26 |
Can I get into University of Southern Maine with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of Southern Maine's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at University of Southern Maine.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Southern Maine
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into University of Southern Maine isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Use USM's genuinely low-friction application to apply confidently without an essay or recommendation letters
USM's official Common App listing confirms no personal essay and no letter of recommendation are required for first-year admission, and the university charges no application fee - a real structural difference from many public universities that claim to be low-friction but still require supplemental materials. Redirect any essay-writing energy toward a specific program of interest rather than a generic personal statement USM won't request.
Apply Early Action by November 15 for a guaranteed January 15 decision
Students who apply by November 15 and submit all supporting materials by December 1 are guaranteed an admission decision by January 15 - a real, dated commitment from USM, not a vague "faster processing" claim. If you want early certainty (for financial planning, other applications, or peace of mind), this specific date combination is the lever to use.
If nursing, education, or business is your target, know these are USM's specifically strongest programs
USM is recognized specifically for its programs in nursing, education, and business - not generic strength across all majors. Reference your intended program by name and connect it to USM's documented reputation in that specific field, rather than writing generically about "USM's great programs."
Leverage USM's Portland Harbor location for programs with a genuine urban/coastal tie
USM's campus sits directly along Portland Harbor in Maine's largest city - a real geographic asset for programs in marine-adjacent fields, urban studies, or business with access to Portland's working waterfront economy. Name this specific location advantage if your intended field has any coastal, urban, or Maine-economy connection.
Expert Insight:
Because USM's undergraduate application requires no essay, no recommendation letters, and no application fee, students can mistakenly assume the entire process - including financial aid - is similarly hands-off. It isn't: aid packaging depends on a timely, complete FAFSA submission separate from the admission application, and students who delay FAFSA because "the application itself was easy" can miss out on optimal aid packaging despite an on-time admission decision.
University of Southern Maine Profile
Full Name
University of Southern Maine
City
Portland
State
Maine
ZIP Code
4103
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a University of Southern Maine Degree Worth It?
Whether University of Southern Maine is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $58,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.82%.
How much does a degree from University of Southern Maine Cost?
The sticker price is $21,381/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $11,729.
26.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 34.1% take federal loans at University of Southern Maine. File your FAFSA early and list University of Southern Maine as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of Southern Maine Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $49,958. That's about 23% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Southern Maine. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Southern Maine. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Southern Maine. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
Degree Programs at University of Southern Maine
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Southern Maine Admissions
Median earnings for University of Southern Maine graduates sit around $49,958 a year.
At about $21,381 a year, University of Southern Maine is on the more affordable end.
About 26.3% receive a Pell Grant at University of Southern Maine. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 79.3%, University of Southern Maine's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Southern Maine average a 3.33 GPA.
University of Southern Maine doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.03 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.93, University of Southern Maine becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Southern Maine — aim above 1130, ideally within the 995–1280 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Southern Maine is December 15 for Spring applicants.
The application fee is 40. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.