Maine USM vs MSU Billings
Envision yourself pursuing higher education in either the vibrant city of Portland, Maine, or the scenic vistas of Billings, Montana. University of Southern Maine (USM) and Montana State University Billings (MSUB) offer distinct experiences for students seeking a transformative college journey. USM boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a diverse student body from various backgrounds. MSUB, on the other hand, offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes. Both universities excel in specific academic areas, with USM excelling in nursing and MSUB excelling in business and engineering. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including their graduation rates, popular majors, and additional factors that may influence your decision. Discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for a fulfilling and successful college experience.
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![]() Montana State University Billings |
![]() University of Southern Maine |
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Overview |
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Location | Billings, Montana | Portland, Maine |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | Open Admission | 87.0% |
Application fees | $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 | 5,397 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,695 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 895 | |
Yield rate | 19.1% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | N/A | Not required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,258
Out of state:
$33,588
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In state:
$23,842
Out of state:
$37,842
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Average net price | $12,626 | $9,793 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,485
Out of state:
$17,678
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In state:
$8,064
Out of state:
$22,064
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,096
Meal plan:
$3,860
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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) |
85.0%
Average amount $5,151 |
92.0%
Average amount $8,886 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
42.0%
Average amount $4,398 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,969 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $10,623 |
6.0%
Average amount $10,975 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,728
Men 35.8% Women 64.2% |
5,956
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
Graduate students |
386
Men 23.6% Women 76.4% |
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 | 11.6% | 23.4% |
International students | 1.6% | 1.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 480 | 1,189 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Montana Washington California Wyoming Idaho | 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 | 15:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 28.1% | 34.5% |
Dropout rate | 41.6% | 33.0% |
Transferred out | 25.2% | 30.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (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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