Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Southern Maine #505 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,542 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Southern Maine in the 68.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Southern Maine #615 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Southern Maine's composite ranking reflects strong mobility outcomes and earnings performance relative to cost. The institution's health-focused program mix supports graduates entering stable regional careers.
Azimuth ranks University of Southern Maine #505 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 65.8 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public master's university in Portland, Maine, University of Southern Maine enrolls roughly 4,222 undergraduates. Retention is 73.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 40.4%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional public institution. University of Southern Maine is anchored in health and human services fields, with a program portfolio concentrated in nursing, social work, and related health professions. 28.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.8% are first-generation college students, positioning the university as an access-focused institution serving Maine's working and lower-income families. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,816, placing University of Southern Maine in the 46.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Southern Maine #755 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 49.0 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The composite reflects a balanced profile across access, affordability, and mobility. University of Southern Maine sits in the 51.4 percentile for access, the 84.1 percentile for affordability, and the 58.6 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. For students seeking a public university with strong regional labor-market alignment, manageable cost, and a mission centered on preparing health and social-service professionals, University of Southern Maine offers a straightforward path to stable, in-demand careers in Maine and the broader Northeast.
University of Southern Maine's published cost of attendance is $23,717. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $9,999; middle-income families pay about $12,550; higher-income families pay approximately $19,180. Azimuth ranks University of Southern Maine #227 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of Southern Maine participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The aid structure supports access across income levels, with need-based scholarships and grants reducing the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,060, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,050; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $60,816, median federal debt of $19,060 projects to a monthly payment of about $215 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
The University of Southern Maine is a strong fit for students interested in health professions and applied fields who want a public university experience in ME with solid long-term outcomes. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $60,816, placing University of Southern Maine in the 46.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $2,542 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 68.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 28.3% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 32.8% are first-generation — with a 47.4% completion rate for Pell recipients. Published cost of attendance is $19,180, and median federal debt at graduation is $19,060.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Southern Maine hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Southern Maine's published cost of attendance is $23,717. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels.
Low-income families pay approximately $9,999; middle-income families pay about $12,550; higher-income families pay approximately $19,180. Azimuth ranks University of Southern Maine #227 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of Southern Maine participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA. The aid structure supports access across income levels, with need-based scholarships and grants reducing the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,060, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,050; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $60,816, median federal debt of $19,060 projects to a monthly payment of about $215 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Southern Maine earn median 4-year earnings of $60,816, placing University of Southern Maine in the 46.1 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $2,542 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Southern Maine in the 68.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Southern Maine #755 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects University of Southern Maine's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 158 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $75,465, performing at 0.8× the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 115 students earning $65,230, and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions program graduates 78 students earning $57,790.
These health-focused programs anchor the institution's economic profile and connect graduates to stable, in-demand careers in Maine's healthcare sector and beyond.
Mechanical Engineering
24 graduates
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
9 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
158 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
16 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
24 graduates
University of Southern Maine's program mix is anchored in health sciences and applied professional fields. Nursing is the largest program with 158 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Social Sciences, and Communication and Media Studies.
Across 39 total programs, 0 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, reflecting the institution's focus on direct-to-workforce preparation in healthcare and related fields. The earnings pattern across University of Southern Maine's portfolio shows strength in applied health and professional disciplines.
Nursing graduates earn median four-year earnings of $75,465, while Political Science graduates earn $65,836 and Business Administration graduates earn $65,230. These outcomes reflect the institution's concentration in Health — a field family where four-year earnings often undercount lifetime trajectory because many graduates continue to graduate or professional study, particularly in nursing, occupational therapy, and related clinical pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse Similar quality tier (#15548 ranked) | WI | 76% | $60,378 | #15548 | Compare |
Mcneese State University Similar quality tier (#15553 ranked) | LA | 78% | $46,453 | #15553 | Compare |
Framingham State University Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15537 ranked) | MA | 84% | $52,349 | #15537 | Compare |
Suny College Of Technology At Canton Similar quality tier in Northeast (#15555 ranked) | NY | 92% | $47,860 | #15555 | Compare |
Indiana University-Kokomo Similar quality tier (#15556 ranked) | IN | 86% | $49,917 | #15556 | Compare |
