You’ve made an excellent decision to pursue graduate study at the University of Southern Maine (USM). We are one of the most affordable university options in northern New England.
We’re here to help you understand the full cost of attendance, which includes tuition and fees. There are many ways to offset the costs of graduate education, including graduate scholarships and other graduate student financial aid options.
Tuition & fees
Your total cost of attendance will include tuition and fees. Tuition differs depending on mode of study and whether you are an in-state, out-of-state, or Canadian resident.
| Mode of study | Tuition per credit hour | Mandatory fees per credit hour* |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended programs | $432 | $67 |
| Online programs | $447 | $67 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
Some programs have alternative tuition rates:
| Mode of study | Out-of-state tuition per credit hour | Mandatory fees per credit hour* |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended programs | $1,250 | $67 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
Our Stonecoast MFA Creative Writing Program has an alternative tuition rate. See Stonecoast MFA tuition.
You may qualify for a tuition break if you enroll in one of the following degree programs:
- Athletic Training MS
- Educational Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration MS
- Educational Psychology — School Psychology Concentration MS
- Leadership Studies PhD
- Occupational Therapy MOT
- Occupational Therapy — Entry-level OTD
- Occupational Therapy — Post-professional OTD
- Policy, Planning, and Management MPPM
- Public Health MPH
- School Psychology PsyD
- Social Work MSW
- Teacher Education — Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP) MSEd
We offer reduced e-tuition to out-of-state students studying in fully online programs.
| Mode of study | E-tuition per credit hour | Mandatory fees per credit hour* |
|---|---|---|
| Online programs** | $447 | $67 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
** Please note: E-tuition is charged for online courses only. If you choose to take an in-person or blended course, you will be charged the standard out-of-state tuition rate.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
Please note: There is a selection of accelerated online programs that qualify for an alternative tuition rate.
Do you live in New England? You may enable you to enroll in certain programs at a reduced tuition rate. Browse RSP programs.
| Mode of study | New England Regional Student Program (RSP) tuition per credit hour | Mandatory fees per credit hour* |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended programs | $734 | $67 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
You may qualify for a tuition break lower than the RSP rate if you enroll in one of the following degree programs:
- Athletic Training MS
- Educational Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration MS
- Educational Psychology — School Psychology Concentration MS
- Leadership Studies PhD
- Occupational Therapy MOT
- Occupational Therapy — Entry-level OTD
- Occupational Therapy — Post-professional OTD
- Policy, Planning, and Management MPPM
- Public Health MPH
- School Psychology PsyD
- Social Work MSW
- Teacher Education — Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP) MSEd
| Mode of study | Tuition per credit hour | Mandatory fees per credit hour* |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended programs | $432 | $67 |
| Online programs** | $447 | $67 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
** There is an alternative tuition rate for accelerated online programs.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
Some programs have alternative tuition rates:
Our selection of accelerated online programs offer an alternative tuition rate. Accelerated online programs include:
Education
- Educational Leadership MSEd*
- Special Education — Effective Instruction and Assessment for Students with Suspected and Identified Disabilities MS
- Teacher Leadership — Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Concentration*
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) MSEd*
Nursing
- Nursing — Administration and Leadership MS
- Nursing — Nursing Education MS
- Nursing — RN to MS — Nursing Administration and Leadership MS
- Nursing — RN to MS — Nursing Education MS
For all other fully online programs, refer to one of the tuition sections above, depending on whether you are an in-state, out-of-state, or Canadian resident.
Program-specific tuition
The degree programs below offer a specific tuition rate. For out-of-state students, this is a tuition break over the standard rate. Certificate programs are not included.
All students enrolled in the Athletic Training Master of Science (MS) program qualify for tuition that is equal to our in-state rate.
| Mode of study | Tuition per credit hour* | Mandatory fees per credit hour** |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended courses | $432 | $67 |
* Online courses include an additional $15 tuition charge per credit.
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
All students enrolled in the following degree programs qualify for tuition that is equal to our in-state rate:
- Educational Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration Master of Science (MS)
- Educational Psychology — School Psychology Concentration Master of Science (MS)
- School Psychology Doctor of Psychiatry (PsyD)
| Mode of study | Tuition per credit hour | Mandatory fees per credit hour* |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended courses | $432 | $67 |
| Online courses | $447 | $67 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
All students enrolled in the low-residency Leadership Studies PhD doctoral program qualify for tuition that is equal to our e-tuition rate.
| Mode of study | Tuition per credit hour | Mandatory fees per credit hour* |
|---|---|---|
| In-person, blended, & online courses | $447 | $67 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
All students enrolled in the following degree programs qualify for tuition that is equal to our in-state rate:
- Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy — Entry-level (OTD)
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy — Post-professional (OTD)
| Mode of study | Tuition per credit hour | Mandatory fees per credit hour* |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended courses | $432 | $67 |
| Online courses | $447 | $67 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
Out-of-state students enrolled in the Master’s in Policy, Planning, and Management (MPPM) and Master of Public Health (MPH) are eligible to pay a reduced tuition that matches the New England Regional Student Program (RSP) rate.
In-state and Canadian residents should refer to the in-state and Canadian tuition rates, respectively.
| Mode of study | Tuition per credit hour* | Mandatory fees per credit hour** |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended courses | $734 | $67 |
* Online courses include an additional $15 tuition charge per credit.
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
All students enrolled in our Stonecoast MFA are eligible for the rates below. Your cost to attend will include tuition, fees, and other program costs. The chart below includes tuition and fees. For details about other program costs, please contact the Stonecoast MFA in Creative Writing.
| Semester and credits | Tuition per semester | Mandatory fees per semester* |
|---|---|---|
| Summer semester (6 credits) | $3,204 | $402 |
| Fall semester (9 credits) | $4,806 | $603 |
| Spring semester (15 credits) | $8,012 | $1,005 |
* Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
All students enrolled in the Teaching and Learning — Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP) Master of Science in Education (MSEd) program qualify for tuition that is equal to our in-state rate.
| Mode of study | Tuition per credit hour* | Mandatory fees per credit hour** |
|---|---|---|
| In-person & blended courses | $432 | $67 |
* Online courses include an additional $15 tuition charge per credit.
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.
A breakdown of graduate fees
We have mandatory fees that students pay every year. There are also fees that are charged under specific circumstances.
| Fee type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | $60 per credit hour | Charged to: All students. Covers fixed costs of providing educational and student services. |
| Technology | $7 per credit hour | Charged to: All students. Supports campus technology. |
| Fee type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate enrollment | $60, one time | Charged to: Every newly admitted graduate degree student. Charged one time, upon enrollment. |
| Payment plan | $30 each semester | Charged if: Student enrolls in one of the University’s installment plans. |
| Academic Assessment | $20 per exam | Charged if: Student is not enrolled in a degree program and is taking English and/or Math placement exams. |
| Late payment | $50 per month (maximum of $200 per semester) | Charged if: Student account charges and payment plan payments are not paid when due. |
| Community Standard Fee | $35 upon sanction | Charged if: Student is sanctioned under the Conduct Code. |
| Insufficient Funds | $25 | Charged if: A paper or electronic check is returned due to insufficient funds. |
Tuition & fees by credit hour
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? We’ve done the math for you in the charts below.
Tuition differs depending on mode of study and whether you are an in-state, out-of-state, or Canadian resident.
In-person & blended courses
| Number of credits | In-state tuition* | Mandatory fees** | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $432 | $67 | $499 |
| 2 | $864 | $134 | $998 |
| 3 | $1,296 | $201 | $1,497 |
| 4 | $1,728 | $268 | $1,996 |
| 5 | $2,160 | $335 | $2,495 |
| 6 | $2,592 | $402 | $2,994 |
| 7 | $3,024 | $469 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $3,456 | $536 | $3,992 |
| 9 | $3,888 | $603 | $4,491 |
| 10 | $4,320 | $670 | $4,990 |
| 11 | $4,752 | $737 | $5,489 |
| 12 | $5,184 | $804 | $5,988 |
| 13 | $5,616 | $871 | $6,487 |
| 14 | $6,048 | $938 | $6,986 |
| 15 | $6,480 | $1,005 | $7,485 |
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
Residents of Maine qualify for in-state tuition. We also offer the in-state tuition rate to out-of-state students who enroll in the following master’s and doctoral degree programs:
- Athletic Training MS
- Educational Psychology — Applied Behavior Analysis Concentration MS
- Educational Psychology — School Psychology Concentration MS
- Occupational Therapy MOT
- Occupational Therapy — Entry-level OTD
- Occupational Therapy — Post-professional OTD
- School Psychology PsyD
- Social Work MSW
- Teacher Education — Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP) MSEd
| Number of credits | Out-of-state tuition* | Mandatory fees** | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,250 | $67 | $1,317 |
| 2 | $2,500 | $134 | $2,634 |
| 3 | $3,750 | $201 | $3,951 |
| 4 | $5,000 | $268 | $5,268 |
| 5 | $6,250 | $335 | $6,585 |
| 6 | $7,500 | $402 | $7,902 |
| 7 | $8,750 | $469 | $9,219 |
| 8 | $10,000 | $536 | $10,536 |
| 9 | $11,250 | $603 | $11,853 |
| 10 | $12,500 | $670 | $13,170 |
| 11 | $13,750 | $737 | $14,487 |
| 12 | $15,000 | $804 | $15,804 |
| 13 | $16,250 | $871 | $17,121 |
| 14 | $17,500 | $938 | $18,438 |
| 15 | $18,750 | $1,005 | $19,755 |
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
| Number of credits | E-tuition* | Mandatory fees** | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $447 | $67 | $514 |
| 2 | $894 | $134 | $1,028 |
| 3 | $1,341 | $201 | $1,542 |
| 4 | $1,788 | $268 | $2,056 |
| 5 | $2,235 | $335 | $2,570 |
| 6 | $2,682 | $402 | $3,084 |
| 7 | $3,129 | $469 | $3,598 |
| 8 | $3,576 | $536 | $4112 |
| 9 | $4,023 | $603 | $4,626 |
| 10 | $4,470 | $670 | $5,140 |
| 11 | $4,917 | $737 | $5,654 |
| 12 | $5,364 | $804 | $6,168 |
| 13 | $5,811 | $871 | $6,682 |
| 14 | $6,258 | $938 | $7,196 |
| 15 | $6,705 | $1,005 | $7,710 |
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive and Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Who qualifies for e-tuition?
Out-of-state students studying in fully online programs qualify for e-tuition. Students in our low-residency Leadership PhD program also qualify for the e-tuition rate.
There is an alternative tuition rate for accelerated online programs
Accelerated online programs offer an alternative tuition rate. Accelerated online programs include:
- Education:
- Nursing
New England residents may be eligible to enroll in certain degree and certificate programs at a special reduced tuition rate. Browse RSP programs.
All out-of-state students enrolled in our Master’s in Policy, Planning, and Management (MPPM) & Master of Public Health (MPH) qualify for reduced tuition that is equal to the RSP rate.
New England Regional Student Program (RSP) tuition and fees: In-person & blended courses
| Number of credits | New England Regional Student Program (RSP) tuition* | Mandatory fees** | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $734 | $67 | $801 |
| 2 | $1,468 | $134 | $1,602 |
| 3 | $2,202 | $201 | $2,403 |
| 4 | $2,936 | $268 | $3,204 |
| 5 | $3,670 | $335 | $4,005 |
| 6 | $4,404 | $402 | $4,806 |
| 7 | $5,318 | $469 | $5,607 |
| 8 | $5,872 | $536 | $6,408 |
| 9 | $6,606 | $603 | $7,209 |
| 10 | $7,340 | $670 | $8,010 |
| 11 | $8,074 | $737 | $8,811 |
| 12 | $8,808 | $804 | $9,612 |
| 13 | $9,542 | $871 | $10,413 |
| 14 | $10,276 | $938 | $11,214 |
| 15 | $11,010 | $1,005 | $12,015 |
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
In-person & blended courses
| Number of credits | Canadian tuition* | Mandatory fees** | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $432 | $67 | $499 |
| 2 | $864 | $134 | $998 |
| 3 | $1,296 | $201 | $1,497 |
| 4 | $1,728 | $268 | $1,996 |
| 5 | $2,160 | $335 | $2,495 |
| 6 | $2,592 | $402 | $2,994 |
| 7 | $3,024 | $469 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $3,456 | $536 | $3,992 |
| 9 | $3,888 | $603 | $4,491 |
| 10 | $4,320 | $670 | $4,990 |
| 11 | $4,752 | $737 | $5,489 |
| 12 | $5,184 | $804 | $5,988 |
| 13 | $5,616 | $871 | $6,487 |
| 14 | $6,048 | $938 | $6,986 |
| 15 | $6,480 | $1,005 | $7,485 |
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Questions?
We’re here to help! Contact our knowledgeable Student Financial Services team.
All students enrolled in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program qualify for tuition that is equal to our in-state rate.
* Online courses include an additional $15 tuition charge per credit.
** Mandatory fees include the Comprehensive & Technology Fees. View full list of fees.
Do you know how many credits you plan to take? See estimated costs.