University of New England (UNE) vs Maine USM
When it comes to higher education in Maine, two prominent universities that often draw comparisons are the University of New England (UNE) and the University of Southern Maine (USM). While both institutions offer a wide range of academic programs and opportunities, they differ in several key aspects. UNE, a private university located in Biddeford, boasts a smaller student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to USM, a public university in Portland. UNE is renowned for its strong programs in health sciences, marine sciences, and pharmacy, while USM excels in fields such as business, education, and nursing. Additionally, UNE's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students, while USM has a larger population of undergraduate students. To help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences and more, including graduation rates, tuition fees, and available financial aid options.
|
![]() University of New England |
![]() University of Southern Maine |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Biddeford, Maine | Portland, Maine |
Campus setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 76.0% | 65.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 90.0% | 87.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
|
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 | 4,765 | 5,397 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,288 | 4,695 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 595 | 895 |
Yield rate | 13.9% | 19.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price | $54,570 |
In state:
$23,842
Out of state:
$37,842
|
Average net price | $36,261 | $9,793 |
Tuition | $38,420 |
In state:
$8,064
Out of state:
$22,064
|
Room & board | $15,650 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,460
Meal plan:
$4,980
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $21,394 |
92.0%
Average amount $8,886 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
84.0%
Average amount $4,819 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,969 |
Students taking out private loans |
31.0%
Average amount $21,463 |
6.0%
Average amount $10,975 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
3,671
Men 30.6% Women 69.4% |
5,956
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
2,971
Men 26.9% Women 73.1% |
2,040
Men 25.3% Women 74.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 23.4% |
International students | 0.5% | 1.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,603 | 1,189 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Maine New Hampshire Mississippi Vermont Connecticut |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 63.1% | 34.5% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 33.0% |
Transferred out | 29.0% | 30.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
|
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)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.




































































































































































