The University of Southern Maine (USM) is a multi-campus public university and part of the University of Maine System. USM's three primary campuses are located in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston. Originally founded as three separate universities (Gorham Normal School, University of Maine at Portland, Lewiston-Auburn College) the three state universities were combined in the 1980s and 1990's to streamline the public university system in Maine.

The Portland Campus is home to the Muskie School of Public Service along with the Bio Sciences Research Institute and the University of Maine School of Law, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Osher Map Library. The Gorham campus, much more residential is home to the College of Education and the School of Music.

At Lewiston-Auburn, students experience a small campus, and, while course offerings are expanding, the focus on this campus is on the liberal arts. Each campus maintains its own "feel" and professionals from all campuses provide a world class experience at this highly regarded Regional University.