About
Created in 1971, the University of Southern Maine (USM) is a public university with campuses in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston in the U.S. state of Maine. It is the southernmost of the University of Maine System. USM offers 75+ undergraduate programs and 25+ graduate programs. The University of Southern Maine has an enrollment of about 6,675 students, an acceptance rate of 87%, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1.
The University of Southern Maine offers degrees in business, education, engineering, the arts, and the sciences. USM has a strong commitment to research and innovation, and its faculty members are actively engaged in research projects benefitting the state of Maine and the world. The average annual tuition fee for international undergraduates at the University of Southern Maine is approximately $26,250, and it is $16,200 for international graduates.
The University of Southern Maine is also a major force in the cultural life of Maine. The university's Fine Arts Center hosts several performances and exhibitions throughout the year, and its student-run radio station, WMPG, is one of the most popular in the state. USM is a diverse and inclusive community, providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their background. University of Southern Maine's ranking in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges is #133-175 in Regional Universities North.
Top Reasons to Study in the University of Southern Maine
Some top reasons to prefer the University of Southern Maine are:
- Just 2 hours from Boston, MA and 5.5 hours from New York, NY by car.
- 8 beaches, 70+ parks and recreation areas and 93+ miles of trails.
- One of America’s most livable cities (Forbes magazine).
- Top 10 Metropolitan areas to live in America.
- 1 on 1 academic and career counselling.
- One of the top 5 safest cities in the US.
- 10 Living Learning Communities.
- Internships for every major.
- Top 100 best green cities.
- Average class size of 18.
Admissions
Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)
87%
Application Fee
$50
How to Apply at University of Southern Maine
UNDERGRADUATE
Here are the steps on how to apply to the University of Southern Maine for undergraduate studies as an international applicant:
- Complete the application form.
- Submit your official secondary school transcripts, exam certificates, and any college-level transcripts including certified English translations.
- Write a personal statement/essay (recommended).
- Submit your English language proficiency test scores.
- Provide financial documentation showing you can support educational and living costs.
POSTGRADUATE
Here are the steps on how to apply to the University of Southern Maine for postgraduate studies as an international applicant:
- Choose a program: Visit the USM Graduate School website to browse the programs and find one that is a good fit for your interests and career goals.
Meet the admissions requirements: International applicants must meet the following admissions requirements:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university.
- English proficiency test scores (such as TOEFL or IELTS).
- Letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement.
- Resume.
- Submit your application.
- Wait for a decision.
MASTER'S AND PhD
Here are the steps on how to apply to the University of Southern Maine for a master's or PhD as an international applicant:
- Choose a program: Visit the USM Graduate School website to browse the programs and find one that is a good fit for your interests and career goals.
Meet the admissions requirements: International applicants must meet the following admissions requirements:
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university.
- English proficiency test scores (such as TOEFL or IELTS).
- Letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement.
- Resume.
- Submit your application.
- Wait for a decision.
Documents Required to Apply to University of Southern Maine
UNDERGRADUATE
Documents needed to apply to the University of Southern Maine as an international undergraduate applicant are:
- Completed Application Form.
- Official Transcripts.
- Personal statement/Essay.
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores.
- Financial Documentation.
- SAT/ACT Scores (optional).
POSTGRADUATE
Documents needed to apply to the University of Southern Maine as an international graduate applicant are:
- Completed Application Form.
- Official Transcripts.
- Personal statement/Essay.
- Letters of Recommendation.
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores.
- Financial Documentation.
Additional/Optional:
- GRE Scores.
- Resume or CV.
- Creative Writing.
MASTER'S AND PhD
Documents needed to apply to the University of Southern Maine as an international master's or PhD applicant are:
- Completed Application Form.
- Official Transcripts.
- Personal statement/Essay.
- Letters of Recommendation.
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores.
- Financial Documentation.
Additional/Optional:
- GRE Scores.
- Resume or CV.
- Creative Writing.
Exams Accepted By University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine accepts the following English language proficiency tests and scores from international students:
- TOEFL iBT: 79; PBT: 550; CBT: 213
- IELTS: 6.5
- PTE: 60
- DET: 105
Campus Life
Transportation in the city
There are varied transportation options available in Maine, United States of America. Here are some of the most popular:
- CAT: The Central Maine Transit Authority (CAT) operates a bus service in central Maine, providing connections between Augusta, Waterville, and several smaller towns.
- Metropolitan Area Transit: The MAT bus services provide connections to many popular destinations in the city, including the Portland Museum of Art, the Portland Zoo, and the Portland Head Light.
- Downeaster: The Downeaster is a passenger rail service operating between Portland and Boston. The service offers one daily round-trip between the two cities.
- Ferry: Casco Bay Lines operates a ferry service to several islands in Casco Bay, including Peaks Island, Little Diamond Island, Great Diamond Island, Long Island, Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island. Ferries depart from the Portland Terminal at Commercial Street. Fares vary depending on the island you are visiting.
- Bicycle: Portland is a very bike-friendly city, with several bike paths and lanes throughout the city, and you can rent a bicycle from several shops.
Services offered by the university
The University of Southern Maine offers ranging services to its students, including:
- Academic Advising: The University of Southern Maine offers academic advising to all, from first-year to graduate students. Academic advisors can help students choose their courses, plan their degree programs, and stay on track to graduate.
- Tutoring: The University of Southern Maine offers tutoring in subjects, including math, science, English, and writing. Tutoring is available to all students, regardless of their academic level.
- Financial Aid: The University of Southern Maine offers financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study, to students who need help paying for college.
- Health Services: The University of Southern Maine has a health centre providing medical, dental, and mental health services to students; alongside some wellness programs and services.
- Career Services: The University of Southern Maine offers career services including resume-writing workshops, mock interviews, and job postings, to help students find jobs and internships.
Student life at University of Southern Maine
- Clubs and Organizations: University of Southern Maine offers 200+ student organisations, covering a wide range of interests, from academic clubs to social clubs to sports clubs. Some of the most popular clubs include the Outdoor Club, the Pre-Law Society, and the Theater Company.
- Athletics: The University of Southern Maine is a member of the NCAA Division III Little East Conference, offering 18 varsity sports for men and women, including basketball, football, soccer, and track and field.
- Perform Arts: University of Southern Maine students can participate in the drama club, the choir, the orchestra, or any of the other many student groups. The school also hosts several concerts and performances throughout the year.
- Unwind At The Brooks Student Center: The BSC is the heart of campus life, with a game room, a bowling alley, a pool table, and a cafe. There are also meeting rooms and study spaces available.
- Off-Campus Activities: There are many off-campus activities that USM students can enjoy, such as hiking, biking, skiing, and visiting the many shops and restaurants in Portland.
On campus accomodation at University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine offers on-campus housing in two locations: Gorham and Portland.
Gorham Campus
- Upton Hastings Hall is home to the Russell Scholars Program, a selective honours program for first-year students
- Robie Andrews Hall is home to the Rainbow Living Learning Community, a community for LGBTQ+ students.
- Anderson Hall is home to the first-year Honors Living Learning Community. It has single and double rooms.
- Upperclass Halls: There are three upper-class halls on the Gorham campus: Aubert Hall, Eastman Hall, and Lincoln Hall.
All the aforementioned on-campus housing options offer single and double rooms, as well as a community kitchen and study lounge.
Portland Campus
- Portland Commons: This new residence hall will open in Fall 2023 and will house second-, third-, and fourth-year undergraduate, USM and UMS graduate, and Maine Law students. It will have single, double, and triple rooms, as well as community kitchens and study lounges.
All on-campus housing at the University of Southern Maine includes high-speed internet access, a micro-fridge, and a streaming TV service. Students also have access to the university's dining halls and other campus facilities.
Faculty
University Faculty:Student Ratio
University Faculty Stats
Some facts about the University of Southern Maine (USM) faculty:
- USM's total faculty count is 835 (291 full-time, 544 part-time).
- The student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1.
- The average faculty salary is $84,337.
- The most common USM faculty degrees are Doctorate (64%), Master's (29%), and Bachelor's (7%).
- USM faculty conduct research in a wide range of areas, including climate change, marine biology, renewable energy, social justice, and the arts.
- USM faculty have received Fulbright Scholarships, Guggenheim Fellowships, and National Endowment for the Arts grants.
Career Opportunities
University Endowments Value
Internship opportunities at University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine (USM) offers varied internship and part-time job opportunities for students, like:
- The Career Exploration Internship Program is funded by USM offering paid internships to students in several fields. Internships are usually 150-180 hours long and are completed over a semester. Students earn $18/hour, gain valuable workplace experience, and make connections in their field.
- Cooperative Education Program is similar to the Career Exploration Internship Program, but it is designed for students enrolled in a cooperative education degree program. Students in this program alternate between semesters of full-time coursework and semesters of full-time paid internships.
- Part-time jobs on campus such as student worker, tutor, and research assistant, serve as a great way to earn money while gaining experience in your field of study.
- Part-time jobs off campus can be found through online job boards, classified ads, or by networking with friends, family, and professors.
Some examples of internship and part-time job opportunities currently available at University of Southern Maine:
- Internship: Marketing Intern at the Portland Museum of Art.
- Part-Time Job: Student Worker at the USM Bookstore.
- Part-Time Job: Tutor in the USM Writing Center.
- Part-Time Job: Research Assistant in the USM Psychology Department.
Placement of University of Southern Maine
Placements: According to the University of Southern Maine's 2022 Commencement Report, 94% of graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. The most popular job sectors for USM graduates are education, healthcare, and business.
Hiring Companies: Some of the top employers for University of Southern Maine graduates include:
- MaineHealth
- Hannaford
- Bath Iron Works
- TD Bank
- Penobscot Community Health Center
Salaries: The average starting salary for University of Southern Maine graduates is $50,000. However, salaries can vary depending on the job title, industry, and experience level.
Photo Gallery
Popular Courses · 37
Last updated August 14, 2026