University of Southern Maine (USM): Fees 2026, Scholarships, Admissions 2026, Rankings & Courses

Popular Courses and USM Fees at University of Southern Maine 2027

The University of Southern Maine charges tuition per credit hour at non-resident (out-of-state) rates for Indian applicants. Undergraduate programmes range USD 970-1,086 per credit at Levels 1-3 plus USD 107 per credit in mandatory fees. Graduate programmes carry a total per-credit rate of USD 1,601-1,781, with online eTuition at USD 655 and the MaineMBA at a discounted USD 780 per credit.

The 10 postgraduate programmes below are the most-searched by Indian applicants. Full programme fees below use standard 30-credit master’s loads; longer clinical programmes (MPH, MSW, MOT) run 42-60 credits and cost more.

The 5 undergraduate programmes below draw the largest Indian applicant volume at USM. Annual figures reflect a full-time 30-credit load with mandatory fees included.

Insider note: MaineMBA at USD 780 per credit is the most price-competitive graduate option for Indian applicants and finishes in 12-18 months. Nursing and Health Sciences pathways draw the largest Indian cohort at USM despite their higher Level 3 tuition.

Read More: USM Fees and Cost of Living Guide

University of Southern Maine Admission 2027

The University of Southern Maine runs two annual intakes for international applicants — Fall (August) and Spring (January) — via the ApplyWeb portal with a USD 50 application fee. Both undergraduate and graduate applicants share the same intake deadlines.

Planning note: Certain USM graduate programmes (Occupational Therapy, Nursing DNP, MSW clinical track) admit only for the Fall intake and close months earlier than the university-wide deadline. Confirm the programme-specific date on each department page before targeting Spring 2027.

Read More: USM Admissions Guide for Indian Students

University of Southern Maine Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

Indian applicants must clear academic thresholds, English proficiency, credential verification, and F-1 financial documentation before an I-20 issues from the University of Southern Maine.

Postgraduate applicants:

• Bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); competitive PG programmes prefer 60-65% or CGPA 6.5/10
• English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, or Duolingo 105 (direct entry minimums)
• WES ICAP credential evaluation for the Indian bachelor’s transcript
• Programme-specific tests: GRE preferred for MS Statistics and Applied Medical Sciences; GMAT optional for MaineMBA

Undergraduate applicants:

• Class 12 with 55% (recommended), 60% for Nursing and Environmental Science tracks; minimum GPA floor of 2.25/4.0
• English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, or Duolingo 105 (direct entry); lower Admissions Pathway route available at TOEFL 60 or IELTS 5.5-6.0
• Official Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets plus predicted or final Class 12 results

Key insight: The University of Southern Maine waives the English test for graduate applicants whose bachelor’s degree was fully taught in English. Include the medium-of-instruction letter from the Indian college on official letterhead to skip TOEFL or IELTS submission entirely.

University of Southern Maine Acceptance Rate 2027

The University of Southern Maine has an acceptance rate of 79% (estimated), reflecting the moderately selective admissions typical of US regional public universities. This figure is a third-party estimate; USM does not officially publish annual admit rates.

Most academically qualified Indian applicants who clear the 2.25 GPA floor and English proficiency thresholds receive admission at USM. Selectivity tightens for clinical PG programmes like Occupational Therapy, Nursing DNP, and MSW clinical track, where cohort caps and licensure prerequisites narrow the funnel further.

Reality check: A 79% acceptance rate does not mean guaranteed admission for Indian students. Applicants still need clean transcripts, verified WES scores, matching English test minima, and F-1 financial proof of USD 46,000+ to secure the I-20 from USM.

Read More: USM Acceptance Rate

USM Fees and Cost of Living at University of Southern Maine for Indian Students 2027

Total annual cost for an Indian student at the University of Southern Maine runs USD 46,000-55,000 (INR 43.9-52.5 lakh) covering tuition, living expenses, health insurance, and mandatory fees at Portland-area cost bands.

University of Southern Maine Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

USM charges per-credit fees split by academic level and delivery mode. Level 1 covers Liberal Arts and Business; Level 2 covers most Sciences; Level 3 covers Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and other clinical tracks. Online eTuition applies to fully asynchronous programmes.

Monthly Cost of Living in Portland for Indian Students at University of Southern Maine

Portland is Maine’s largest city and carries mid-tier US metro cost of living. Housing and health insurance drive the largest monthly spend; the free intercampus shuttle between Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston keeps transport low.

Indian students planning long-term should also budget one-time costs like SEVIS (USD 350), visa stamping (USD 185), airfare (INR 60,000-1.0 lakh), and winter clothing for Maine’s harsh January. Detailed guidance is captured in the Cost of Studying in USA primer.

Insider note: Rent in central Portland runs 30-40% above Maine’s rural averages. Sharing a two-bedroom apartment near the Gorham campus can cut monthly housing to USD 500-700 per student, a common route for Indian first-year cohorts.

Read More: Cost of Living in USA for International Students

University of Southern Maine Campus, Facilities and Student Life

The University of Southern Maine spreads across three campuses — Portland (main), Gorham (residential and STEM), and Lewiston (health sciences) — connected by a free daily shuttle service and a shared USM ID.

• Three campuses: Portland hosts the main academic buildings and Career Hub; Gorham holds most residence halls; Lewiston-Auburn College focuses on health sciences and applied programmes
• On-campus housing: Gorham residence halls with meal plans cost USD 12,000-14,000 per year (INR 11.44-13.36 lakh) (estimated); housing not guaranteed for international transfers
• Key facilities: Glickman Library, Osher Map Library, Southworth Planetarium, USM Health Center, and the Sullivan Recreation Complex
• Support for Indian students: Office of International Programs handles F-1 visa advising and OPT applications
• Community: Indian and South Asian Student Association runs Diwali, Holi, and cricket meets on the Gorham campus

What Indian students say: Portland is compact and walkable, safer than many US metros for late-hour work commutes. Gorham feels rural compared to bigger US public campuses. Indian grocery runs mean a drive to Portland’s Whole Foods or a weekend Boston trip for Patel Brothers.

University of Southern Maine Scholarships 2027

The University of Southern Maine offers five confirmed merit scholarships for international undergraduate applicants plus a housing grant, all considered automatically at the time of admission without a separate application form.

Graduate Studies International Awards exist for master’s applicants but require direct contact with individual programme departments; award value and eligibility vary by faculty.

Planning note: All five undergraduate scholarships are renewable for 4 years for first-year students and 3 years for transfer students, subject to a minimum GPA of 3.0 during study. Missing the GPA threshold in any semester triggers immediate loss of the scholarship at USM.

Read More: USM Scholarships Guide

University of Southern Maine Rankings 2027

The University of Southern Maine is ranked #128 in Best Regional Universities North and #47 in Top Public Schools by US News 2026. USM does not appear in the QS World, THE World, or ARWU global lists as a standalone institution.

USM also holds subject-level recognition: Psychology at #244 globally and #16 in USA, and Nursing at #167 globally and #57 in USA, per US News subject listings. This regional focus places USM alongside other mid-tier public universities in USA that Indian students shortlist for affordability rather than global brand.

Key insight: Indian F-1 applicants do not need a QS-ranked university for visa approval or STEM OPT eligibility. USM’s US regional accreditation and NEASC standing give graduates the same OPT and H-1B lottery access as R1 peers, at a fraction of the tuition.

Read More: USM Rankings Analysis

University of Southern Maine Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

The University of Southern Maine reports solid employment outcomes within Maine and the wider New England region. Formal placement rates and median salary data are not publicly disclosed by USM.

• Employment within 6 months: not officially disclosed by USM Career Hub
• Median starting salary: not officially published; regional market median for USM graduates sits at USD 55,000-65,000 (INR 52.5-62.0 lakh) per Payscale market data (estimated)
• Sector employers: healthcare (MaineHealth, Idexx Laboratories), finance (Unum, TD Bank Maine), retail and e-commerce (Wayfair, Hannaford, LL Bean); most USM hires are for Maine and Massachusetts based roles
• Career Hub: on-campus resume clinics, employer meet-ups, and internship placement; F-1 students qualify for 12-month OPT plus a 24-month STEM OPT extension for qualifying programmes
• MaineMBA outcomes: median post-MBA salary not disclosed by USM; regional market bands suggest USD 65,000-85,000 (INR 62.0-81.1 lakh) (estimated)

Insider note: Portland is a smaller job market than Boston or New York. Indian students targeting big-tech, consulting, or Wall Street roles use USM as a launchpad and commute to Boston (two hours south) for interviews rather than settling permanently in Maine.

University of Southern Maine vs Peer Universities

Indian applicants shortlisting the University of Southern Maine typically compare it against other US regional public universities within New England and the Northeast on cost, PG value, and OPT access.

The University of Southern Maine stands out on affordability. MaineMBA total programme cost sits 15-25% below regional peers, and Level 1 PG fees undercut University of New Hampshire and UMass Boston by USD 5,000-8,000 per year. Nursing and Health Sciences pathways carry strong Maine placement despite the state’s small metro base.

Key insight: USM’s regional US News tier gives Indian graduates cost-per-credit value R1 peers cannot match. STEM-designated programmes still qualify for the same 36-month F-1 OPT window as more selective peer institutions.

The University of Southern Maine fits Indian applicants seeking US-accredited nursing, MBA, or health sciences degrees at USD 22-45 lakh total investment. STEM OPT eligibility across most graduate programmes supports F-1 employment for regional median salaries of USD 55,000-65,000 per year within one year of graduation.

Indian students chasing top-100 world-rank prestige or big-tech recruiting should look at University of Massachusetts Boston or Northeastern University for MBA in USA pathways. USM’s regional focus and small alumni network limit brand exposure outside New England.