Head-to-head · 2026
Maine Maritime Academy vs University of Southern Maine
Compare average net price ($23,414 at Maine Maritime Academy; $13,596 at University of Southern Maine), ROI score (9.61 vs 9.19), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($89,964 vs $49,958), and admissions selectivity (54.1% acceptance at Maine Maritime Academy; 79.2% at University of Southern Maine) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Maine Maritime Academy | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.61 ✓ | 9.19 |
| Avg net price | $23,414 | $13,596 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $93,656 | $54,384 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $15,158 | $11,284 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $31,102 | $27,944 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $89,964 ✓ | $49,958 |
| Acceptance rate | 54.1% | 79.2% |
| Graduation rate | 58.2% ✓ | 40.4% |
| Retention rate | 81.7% ✓ | 73.9% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $19,060 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 942 | 4,222 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1166 | 1116 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Maine Maritime Academy | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,511 ✓ | $9,999 |
| Family income $30–48k | $21,690 | $10,847 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $21,162 | $12,550 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $24,372 | $16,750 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $25,021 | $19,180 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Southern Maine reports the lower average net price by $9,818 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $39,272 difference over four years ($54,384 vs $93,656).
Maine Maritime Academy reports $40,006 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($89,964 vs $49,958). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.7% at Maine Maritime Academy and 73.9% at University of Southern Maine. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $19,060, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Maine Maritime Academy vs University of Southern Maine, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Southern Maine is cheaper — average net price $13,596 per year vs $23,414 at Maine Maritime Academy. The annual difference of $9,818 adds up to about $39,272 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Maine Maritime Academy reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $89,964 vs $49,958 at University of Southern Maine. The gap in the federal data is $40,006. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Maine Maritime Academy is more selective at 54.1% acceptance vs 79.2% at University of Southern Maine.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.