Southern Illinois University-Carbondale — College Profile

About

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is a public research institution renowned for its nationally recognized, hands-on programs in aviation, automotive technology, forestry, and cinema and photography. Distinguishable by specialized facilities like the Transportation Education Center and its proximity to the Shawnee National Forest, the university offers robust experiential learning and undergraduate research in unique field settings. Campus life is defined by proud "Saluki" spirit, a close-knit and diverse student body, and an active outdoor culture centered around Campus Lake and the surrounding southern Illinois natural landscape.

Wikipedia:Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) is a public research university in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Chartered in 1869, SIU is the oldest and flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system. SIU enrolls students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Originally founded as a normal college, the university today provides programs in a variety of disciplines. SIU was granted limited university status in 1943 and began offering graduate degrees in 1950. A separate campus was established in Edwardsville, Illinois, in 1957, eventually becoming Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Location

Carbondale, IL, 62901-4512 · Town campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

STL · St. Louis

95 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$13,334$13,334

Housing & food (on campus)$12,341$12,341

Books & supplies$1,100$1,100

Cost of attendance$28,329$29,966

Average net price$13,297Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$13,334

Housing & food (on campus)$12,341

Books & supplies$1,100

Cost of attendance$29,966

In-state: $28,329

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $13,297

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: fao.siu.edu

How it’s made up · 2026-27

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$9,833

Fees$3,951

Books & supplies$780

Personal expenses$1,761

Transportation$1,300

Total published by the school$29,966

Source: fao.siu.edu · checked Sep 28, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$9,415

$30–48k

$8,497

$48–75k

$10,308

$75–110k

$17,724

$110k+

$23,254

Your family's actual price → Southern Illinois University-Carbondale net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

59%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

40%

Back for yr 2

67%

Transferred

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

48% graduated · 35% transferred · 17% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$43,087

10 yrs after entry$53,390

Debt

Median at graduation$21,543

Monthly payment$228

Middle 50% owe$6.5k–$26.5k

90th percentile$35,500

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

87%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1055

R 470–590 · M 430–570

ACT midpoint

Comp 18–25 · E 16–25 · M 17–25

SAT middle 50%: 900–1160

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Southern Illinois University-Carbondale asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 48%Women 52%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

11 : 1

Pell grant

39%

First-gen

35%

Family income

$37,454

Independent

22%

Veterans

Age at entry

22.0

Part-time

14%

Race & ethnicity

White

65%

Hispanic

10%

Black

17%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Swimming and Diving (combined)
Men's · Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$43,087

After 10 yrs

$53,390

Air Transportation171

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas102

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians89

Accounting and Related Services72

Psychology, General65

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods61

Criminology61

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions59

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians57

Health and Medical Administrative Services52

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities45

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness39

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing39

Zoology/Animal Biology38

Social Work37

Computer and Information Sciences, General36

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$213M

Full-time faculty

79%

Faculty salary

$8,501/mo

Teaching spend

$18,042

per student

Federal loans

45%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R1 — very high research

$61M research spending · 109 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile