University of Southern Maine Acceptance Rate & Test Scores

Portland, ME · Public · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 79% for fall 2024
  • SAT, middle 50%: 500–650 reading and writing, 490–600 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 24–28 composite
  • Average net price: $12,006 a year (2022–23)
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Add a test score to compare it with what University of Southern Maine reported: an acceptance rate of 79% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 24–28.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Southern Maine reviews each application.

University of Southern Maine GPA requirements

University of Southern Maine doesn't consider high school GPA when it decides on first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

University of Southern Maine acceptance rate

University of Southern Maine admitted 4,613 of 5,822 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 79%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

University of Southern Maine is a public 4-year university in Portland, Maine, with 5,525 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Southern Maine in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing500560650
SAT Math490540600
ACT Composite242528
ACT English222326
ACT Math252628
10% submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores, as University of Southern Maine reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1116 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What University of Southern Maine looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Required
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Required
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Considered if submitted
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Considered if submitted
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Not considered
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Not considered
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with University of Southern Maine's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

University of Southern Maine awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $12,006 a year at University of Southern Maine in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

How selective is the University of Southern Maine?

Not very selective: at least 3 in 4 applicants got in. University of Southern Maine admitted 79% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

How important is GPA for getting into the University of Southern Maine?

Not as a number: University of Southern Maine requires high school record, recommendations, essay or personal statement and test scores. It considers high school class rank, college preparatory program and work experience if you send them. It doesn't consider high school GPA, other tests, demonstration of competencies and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What SAT and ACT scores do the University of Southern Maine students have?

The middle 50% of University of Southern Maine's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 500–650 in reading and writing and 490–600 in math; ACT composite 24–28, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to the University of Southern Maine?

Yes. University of Southern Maine requires SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 10% sent SAT scores and 2% sent ACT scores.

What is the University of Southern Maine's acceptance rate?

University of Southern Maine's acceptance rate was 79% for fall 2024: it admitted 4,613 of 5,822 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.

What GPA do you need to get into the University of Southern Maine?

University of Southern Maine doesn't consider high school GPA in admission, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

How much does the University of Southern Maine cost after financial aid?

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $12,006 a year at University of Southern Maine in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Do you need to write an essay to apply to the University of Southern Maine?

Yes. University of Southern Maine requires a personal statement or essay from first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Does the University of Southern Maine give credit for AP exams?

Yes. University of Southern Maine awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

Does the University of Southern Maine look at legacy status?

No. University of Southern Maine doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Before you apply, check the University of Southern Maine's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: University of Southern MaineU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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