Northern Vermont University vs Maine USM
Northern Vermont University (NVU) and University of Southern Maine (USM) are two distinct institutions of higher learning, each offering unique opportunities and experiences to their students. NVU, with its campuses in Johnson and Lyndon, Vermont, boasts a close-knit community and a focus on experiential learning, while USM, located in Portland, Maine, offers a vibrant urban setting and a wide range of academic programs. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Northern Vermont University |
![]() University of Southern Maine |
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Overview |
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Location | Johnson, Vermont | Portland, Maine |
Campus setting | Rural: Distant | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 57.0% | 65.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 75.4% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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SAT range | N/A | 995 - 1230 |
ACT range | N/A | 19 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 18.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 1.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 3,954 | 5,397 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,981 | 4,695 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 263 | 895 |
Yield rate | 8.8% | 19.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$27,598
Out of state:
$41,686
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In state:
$23,842
Out of state:
$37,842
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Average net price | $17,086 | $9,793 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,592
Out of state:
$25,680
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In state:
$8,064
Out of state:
$22,064
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,312
Meal plan:
$4,732
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Room/dormitory:
$5,460
Meal plan:
$4,980
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $10,938 |
92.0%
Average amount $8,886 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
70.0%
Average amount $4,880 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,969 |
Students taking out private loans |
20.0%
Average amount $11,045 |
6.0%
Average amount $10,975 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,495
Men 38.5% Women 61.5% |
5,956
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
251
Men 23.9% Women 76.1% |
2,040
Men 25.3% Women 74.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 47.7% | 23.4% |
International students | 1.0% | 1.2% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Distant | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,350 | 1,189 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Vermont Connecticut New Hampshire New York California | Maine New Hampshire Mississippi Vermont Connecticut |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 10:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 38.4% | 34.5% |
Dropout rate | 24.0% | 33.0% |
Transferred out | 35.2% | 30.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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