University of Southern Maine
University of Southern Maine — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Southern Maine at a Glance
The University of Southern Maine (USM) is a public university with campuses in Gorham and Portland, Maine, United States. It is the southernmost university in the University of Maine System. It was founded as two separate state universities, Gorham Normal School and Portland University. The two universities, later known as Gorham State College and the University of Maine at Portland, were combined in 1970 to help streamline the public university system in Maine and eventually expanded by adding …
1878
148 years old
6,257
4,455 undergrad · 1,802 grad
142 acres
Identity
Is University of Southern Maine Worth It?
University of Southern Maine offers moderate value at $13,596/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,958, which is 7% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Southern Maine compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #82 of 166 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #82 | University of Southern Maine | 40 | $13,596 | $49,958 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Southern Maine's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ME.
Best Programs at University of Southern Maine
The highest-earning program at University of Southern Maine is Mechanical Engineering at $59,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $23,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from University of Southern Maine earns $59,800, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $23,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $21,650 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,596/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $59,800 | $59,800 | $27,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $56,000 | $56,000 | $24,129 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $47,200 | $47,200 | $29,956 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,300 | $44,300 | $22,483 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,100 | $41,100 | $20,500 |
| Marketing | $38,400 | $38,400 | $19,312 |
| Criminology | $37,500 | $37,500 | $22,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $31,400 | $31,400 | $19,500 |
| Psychology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $19,125 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $30,100 | $30,100 | $23,230 |
| Social Work | $27,600 | $27,600 | $25,000 |
| Social Sciences, Other | $26,600 | $26,600 | $19,680 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,500 | $23,500 | $21,650 |
Similar Colleges in ME
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Portland, ME
- Student Body
- 4,222 students
- Admission Rate
- 79%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,596
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,958
- Median Student Debt
- $19,060