Portland, Maine · Public, city campus

University of Southern Maine SAT & ACT scores

Enrolled first-year students who submitted SAT scores for fall 2024 had a middle 50% of about 990-1250. Their ACT composite middle 50% was 24-28. University of Southern Maine admitted 79% of applicants and has made SAT and ACT scores optional for most undergraduate programs since August 2019, so applicants to most programs did not need them for fall 2024. Its 2019 announcement kept scores required for Nursing applicants.

SAT middle 50% (estimated): 990-1250
ACT middle 50%: 24-28
Acceptance rate: 79%
Test policy, fall 2024: Test-optional (most programs)
Undergraduates: 4,222

Quick answer

What SAT score do you need for University of Southern Maine?

There is no published minimum. Aim for 1250 or higher to sit in the top quarter of University of Southern Maine's SAT submitters; 990 marks the bottom quarter. Its SAT midpoint is higher than at 29% of the 902 colleges in this directory that report SAT scores.

Score check

Where does your score land at University of Southern Maine?

The middle 50% describes enrolled students who chose to submit scores, so test-optional colleges can show higher ranges than their full class. Scores are one part of an application.

Fall 2024 entering class

University of Southern Maine SAT and ACT score ranges

Score percentiles of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores
Measure	25th percentile	50th percentile	75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing	500	560	650
SAT Math	490	540	600
SAT total (estimated)	990	1100	1250
ACT composite	24	25	28

Reading and Writing runs higher than Math here: the top quarter starts at 650 in Reading and Writing but 600 in Math.

College Scorecard's SAT-equivalent average for admitted students is 1116.

Testing policy

Did University of Southern Maine require the SAT or ACT for fall 2024?

Fall 2024: Test-optional (most programs)

University of Southern Maine has made SAT and ACT scores optional for most undergraduate programs since August 2019, so applicants to most programs did not need them for fall 2024. Its 2019 announcement kept scores required for Nursing applicants. Its report to the U.S. Department of Education listed scores as required, which is why federal data sites may show a different policy. This page follows the sources below.

Sources: University of Southern Maine: USM makes SAT or ACT tests optional for applicants in most academic programs; University of Southern Maine: Undergraduate admission

Current policy

The University of Southern Maine's admissions page says it does not require SAT or ACT scores and that test scores do not influence its admission decision.

Check the current cycle

Many colleges have changed testing rules since 2024, and several now require scores again. Confirm the policy for your application year on University of Southern Maine's website before deciding whether to submit.

Beyond scores

Cost and outcomes at University of Southern Maine

In-state tuition and fees (2024-25): $11,284
Out-of-state tuition and fees (2024-25): $27,944
Average net price after aid (2023-24): $13,596
First-year retention rate: 74%
Graduation rate within 6 years: 40%
Median earnings 10 years after entry: $49,958

Compare

Colleges with similar score ranges

Similar colleges in Maine

Browse all Maine colleges by SAT score, colleges for a 1000 SAT or a 1250 SAT, or colleges for a 24 ACT.

Plan your prep

Turn a target score into a plan

FAQ

University of Southern Maine admissions questions

What SAT score do you need to get into University of Southern Maine?

University of Southern Maine does not publish a minimum SAT score. Among enrolled first-year students who submitted SAT scores for fall 2024, the middle 50% scored between 990 and 1250 (estimated from section scores). A score of 1250 or higher would place you in the top quarter of that group; 990 marks the bottom quarter.

What ACT score do you need for University of Southern Maine?

Enrolled first-year students who submitted ACT scores for fall 2024 had a middle 50% composite of 24 to 28, with a median of 25. Scoring 28 or above puts you in the top quarter of submitters.

Did University of Southern Maine require the SAT or ACT for fall 2024?

University of Southern Maine has made SAT and ACT scores optional for most undergraduate programs since August 2019, so applicants to most programs did not need them for fall 2024. Its 2019 announcement kept scores required for Nursing applicants. The University of Southern Maine's admissions page says it does not require SAT or ACT scores and that test scores do not influence its admission decision. Confirm the policy for your application year on University of Southern Maine's admissions website before you apply.

What is University of Southern Maine's acceptance rate?

University of Southern Maine admitted 79% of applicants for fall 2024, according to data it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Sources and method

Where these numbers come from

College Scorecard data downloads (June 10, 2026 release)U.S. Department of Education
College Scorecard data dictionary and cohort mapU.S. Department of Education
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)National Center for Education Statistics

Test scores: 25th, 50th and 75th percentile SAT section scores and ACT composites of first-time students who enrolled in fall 2024 and submitted scores, as each college reported to IPEDS. Composite SAT ranges add the two section percentiles, so they are an estimate of the true composite range.

Admissions and test policy: Fall 2024 entering class, reported to IPEDS in 2024-25. Policies change; check each college's admissions site before applying.

Cost and outcomes: tuition for academic year 2024-25; average net price for academic year 2023-24; graduation rate for first-time, full-time students who started in 2018-19, graduating within 150% of normal time (6 years for a bachelor's degree); median earnings 10 years after entry, measured in 2020 and 2021, in 2022 dollars.

Coverage: colleges currently operating that reported SAT or ACT ranges and enrolled at least 500 undergraduates. Data released 2026-06-10, retrieved 2026-10-05. Spot an error? Email support@dolphin.study.