Maine, United States
About
Public
University Type
$29,130
Average Living Expenses
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.
Courses
Cost of Studying at University of Southern Maine
Average tuition fee
Reasonable
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Living expenses
Average living expenses (Bachelors)
$34,530
Average living expenses (Masters)
$29,130
Average on-campus living expenses
$9,570
Average off-campus living expenses
$10,290
Admissions at The University of Southern Maine
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
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Alumni at University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine (USM) has 60,000+ alumni living and working all over the world. The alumni association is committed to providing lifelong support and engagement opportunities for its members. Some of the most notable alumni include:
- Tony Shalhoub: actor, known for his roles in Monk, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Wings.
- Lois Lowry: author, known for her books The Giver, Number the Stars, and The Willoughbys.
- Chellie Pingree: politician, former U.S. Representative for Maine's 1st congressional district.
- Anne Braden was an American civil rights activist, journalist, and author.
- G. William Diamond: politician, former Maine Secretary of State.
- Deborah Bial is the founder and president of the Posse Foundation.
- Ken Joyce: businessman, former CEO of Hannaford Brothers Company.
- Susan Collins is a United States Senator from Maine and the senior Republican on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
- Luke Robinson: professional ice hockey player, currently playing for the Florida Panthers.
- Candace Murray is the chief executive officer of the Maine Medical Center.
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Sai Nikhil
2 years ago
Hey hi i have a doubt...i went to univ of new haven for vissa stamping...but i want to go for usm university of southern mississippi soo...i changed my changed ny sevis transfer...but did not transfer the college still..
Will i get a problem...during immigration in new york....so when the officer questions me what should be my answer...i am very tensed..could any let me know answer
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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.
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Faculty Information
University Faculty:Student Ratio
1:13
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.
Jobs and Opportunities
University Endowments Value
2219000
Research opportunities at University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine (USM) offers varied research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
Undergraduate students can participate in research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). UROP awards scholarships to students designing and conducting their research projects in collaboration with a faculty member. Students can also participate in research through individual faculty members' labs or one of USM's many research centres and institutes.
Graduate students can participate in research through:
- Master's thesis research.
- Doctoral dissertation research.
- Graduate assistantships.
- Internships.
- Collaborative research projects.
The University of Southern Maine also offers several opportunities for students to participate in externally-funded research. These opportunities are often funded by government agencies, foundations, or private businesses.
Some specific research opportunities currently available at the University of Southern Maine are:
- Arts and Humanities: Students research climate change art, the history of Maine, and the intersection of literature and social justice.
- Business: Students research entrepreneurship, marketing, and sustainability.
- Education: Students research early childhood education, teacher effectiveness, and educational technology.
- Engineering: Students research renewable energy, transportation, and water quality.
- Health Sciences: Students research cancer, mental health, and substance abuse.
- Natural Sciences: Students research climate change, marine biology, and environmental chemistry.
- Social Sciences: Students research on poverty, inequality, and social justice.
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.
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FAQ
1. How to submit SAT/ACT scores to USM?
The students may submit the required scores on the college's official website or directly through the agency where they have taken the test.
2. What are the tuition fees at University of Southern Maine?
The tuition fees at University of Southern Maine is set at credit hour charges, which is, 788 USD (60422 INR) for undergraduates and 1,216 USD (93,241 INR) for graduates.
3. How do I check the status of my application?
There is an online portal available for students to check their application status continuously.
4. What are the most popular majors for international students in USM?
The main courses pursued in this college are Business, Marketing, Journalism, Biological and Biomedical Science, and Health Profession.
5. Can I translate my transcript into English by myself for USM admission?
The transcripts that are English translated are always taken into consideration.