Bridgewater State University (BSU) vs. University of Southern Maine (USM) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to BSU or University of Southern Maine (USM)?“
Bridgewater State University (BSU)
University of Southern Maine (USM)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Bridgewater State University (BSU) and University of Southern Maine (USM). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Bridgewater State University (BSU) and University of Southern Maine (USM)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Bridgewater State University (BSU) and University of Southern Maine (USM). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Bridgewater State University (BSU) | University of Southern Maine (USM) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $8,903 | $7,796 |
| Net Price | $18,745 | $16,528 |
| Average Financial Aid | $2,340 | $6,082 |
| Total Undergraduates | 9497 | 5359 |
| Average SAT Scores | 890 - 1100 | 860 - 1100 |
| Acceptance Rate | 81 | 88 |
| Location | 131 Summer Street | 96 Falmouth St |
| City Name | Bridgewater | Portland |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of Southern Maine (USM) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Bridgewater and Portland. BSU is in a New England and University of Southern Maine (USM) is in a New England - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Bridgewater State University (BSU) or University of Southern Maine (USM) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Bridgewater State University (BSU) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Bridgewater State University (BSU) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of Southern Maine (USM) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do BSU Dorms Compare to housing Options at University of Southern Maine (USM)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. BSU charges for on-campus living, while University of Southern Maine (USM) charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
BSU and University of Southern Maine (USM) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Bridgewater State University (BSU), % | University of Southern Maine (USM),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 77.51 | 81.69 |
| Hispanic | 6.0 | 2.3 |
| Black | 9.42 | 3.73 |
| Foreign | 0.35000000000000003 | 1.01 |
| Others | 6.7 | 11.3 |
How different is the Bridgewater State University (BSU) campus compared to University of Southern Maine (USM) campus?
The BSU campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and is characterized as Suburb: Large (outside principal city, in urbanized area with population of 250,000 or more). The University of Southern Maine (USM) campus is located in Portland, ME and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
BSU provides $2,340 whereas University of Southern Maine (USM) provides an average of $6,082.
How does BSU academics compare to University of Southern Maine (USM)?
When analyzing academics between Bridgewater State University (BSU) and University of Southern Maine (USM) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | BSU | University of Southern Maine (USM) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | N/A | 24 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | N/A | 2 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 139 | 58 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 23 | 29 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | N/A | 31 |
| Education | 361 | 20 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | 24 |
Which is better: Bridgewater State University (BSU) or University of Southern Maine (USM)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between BSU and University of Southern Maine (USM). But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does BSU social life compare to University of Southern Maine (USM)?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how BSU social life differs from University of Southern Maine (USM).
Check here.
Check here.