Head-to-head · 2026
University of Maine at Presque Isle vs University of Southern Maine
Compare average net price ($7,035 at University of Maine at Presque Isle; $13,596 at University of Southern Maine), ROI score (14.55 vs 9.19), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,956 vs $49,958), and admissions selectivity (99.9% acceptance at University of Maine at Presque Isle; 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 | University of Maine at Presque Isle | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.55 ✓ | 9.19 |
| Avg net price | $7,035 ✓ | $13,596 |
| 4-year avg net price | $28,140 ✓ | $54,384 |
| In-state tuition | $9,402 | $11,284 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,862 | $27,944 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,956 | $49,958 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 99.9% | 79.2% |
| Graduation rate | 51.6% ✓ | 40.4% |
| Retention rate | 58.4% | 73.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $16,000 ✓ | $19,060 |
| Enrollment | 1,913 | 4,222 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 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 | University of Maine at Presque Isle | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,934 ✓ | $9,999 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,492 ✓ | $10,847 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,564 ✓ | $12,550 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,229 ✓ | $16,750 |
| Family income $110k+ | $9,758 ✓ | $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.
| Shared field | University of Maine at Presque Isle | University of Southern Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 32.4% | 7.6% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 22.8% | 1.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8.5% | 3.6% |
| Social Sciences, Other | 4.4% | 4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 5.9% | 1.6% |
| Psychology, General | 3.7% | 2.9% |
| Social Work | 3.3% | 3.3% |
| Biology, General | 1.1% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Maine at Presque Isle reports the lower average net price by $6,561 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $26,244 difference over four years ($28,140 vs $54,384).
University of Southern Maine reports $9,002 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,958 vs $40,956). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 58.4% at University of Maine at Presque Isle and 73.9% at University of Southern Maine. Median federal debt among completers is $16,000 vs $19,060, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
University of Maine at Presque Isle 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 Maine at Presque Isle is cheaper — average net price $7,035 per year vs $13,596 at University of Southern Maine. The annual difference of $6,561 adds up to about $26,244 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Southern Maine reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,958 vs $40,956 at University of Maine at Presque Isle. The gap in the federal data is $9,002. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Southern Maine is more selective at 79.2% acceptance vs 99.9% at University of Maine at Presque Isle.
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.