86.88%

Acceptance Rate

$11,738

Avg.Financial Aid

001758

FAFSA Code

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) Report Card

Selectivity
86.9% acceptance rate
Academics
B
62% graduation rate
Class Size
C+
13:1 student-faculty ratio
Value
A
$13,334 tuition

Grades calculated by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES data. Methodology: How we grade →

Key Facts: Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)

Institution
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)
Type
Public

Data compiled by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES and official university sources. Last verified July 2026. Citable source →

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)

  • Type Control of Institution - Public/Private

    Public

  • Acceptance Rate:

    N/A

  • Level

    4 Years

  • Religious Affiliation Indicates religious affiliation (denomination) for private not-for-profit institutions that are religiously affiliated.

    Not applicable

  • Accreditation Accreditation is the process by which the quality of learning at various educational institutions are evaluated. Read More.

    HLC

  • Website

    www.siu.edu
  • Student Population Number of Students attending College

    8,494

  • On Campus Housing Does the institution provide on-campus housing?

    Yes

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earns its reputation as a party school honestly, but underneath the strong social scene sits a legitimate institution with particular strengths in engineering, agriculture, and business. The campus culture celebrates life, and most students arrive expecting active social engagement; those seeking quiet, studious environments should look elsewhere. Yet Carbondale offers strong mentorship from faculty who care about student success, reasonable class sizes, and an authentic college experience filled with actual friendships and campus traditions.

The engineering program stands out as genuinely solid, attracting students with real technical aptitude who nonetheless want an active social life alongside their studies. The student body is unpretentious and welcoming, with minimal emphasis on status or exclusivity. Life in Carbondale itself is affordable and centered on campus, creating a genuine community where most students live on or near the university grounds rather than commuting.

Carbondale's biggest challenge is reputation management; employers recognize the engineering degree but may raise eyebrows at the party school label. Students should be prepared to prove themselves through internships and networking. For students who are self-directed and can handle a tempting social scene while maintaining academic focus, Carbondale delivers real value—a strong degree at a reasonable price in an environment that embraces the full college experience.

Location & Contact

Address

Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois

Contact

Phone: (618) 453-2121
Find Your School

Rankings

As long as US universities are concerned, the rankings which are provided by Forbes and US News are trusted everywhere. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has been ranked at the 629th position among other universities by Forbes. It is to be noted that Forbes decides on the rankings of the university based on common metrics like acceptance rate, endowment, benefits, and SAT scores, among others.

Admissions

  • Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.

    Rolling Admissions

  • Acceptance Rate Percentage of applicants who are accepted in an Institution.

    86.88%

  • SAT Range

    1000 - 1210

  • SAT/ACT

    Required

  • ACT Range

    20 - 26

  • High School GPA

    Required

  • Application Fee

    $40

  • Accept Common App

    None

The admission to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is easy and the students can make the most out of it. The varsity has 4 admission thresholds. To kickstart the admission process at SIUC, the candidates have to fill an application form and submit a fee of $40. If the SAT score of a student lies in the range of 1030-1250, it would improve her chances. The average ACT score at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is 24. However, those getting an ACT score less than 21 might also be offered admission. The candidates can apply for the courses online. However, in case they need information or want to feel the vibes, they visit the school's office at Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, Illinois 62901-4512. They can also call them at (618) 453-2121.

Annual Cost to Attend

  • Net Price Cost of attendance minus any grants and scholarships received.

    $13,297

  • Average Annual Cost

    $13,334

Additional Costs:

  • Books And Supplies

    $29,367

  • Other Fees

    $5,066

  • Room And Board The charges for an academic year for Rooming accommodations and meals for a typical student.

    $10,622

  • Budget For Other Expenses

    $2,941

Total One Year Cost

$29,367

Before applying to SIUC, candidates must keep in mind the tuition fees and the cost of living during the course tenure. The total one-year cost on a full-time basis would be somewhere around $36,795. For students seeking financial assistance, the university offers a number of options.

Academics

Highest Degree Offered The highest degree offered by the Institution.

Doctor's degree

Student:Faculty Ratio

13:1

Full-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

67%

Part-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

28%

Academic Calendar

Semester

Research Funding per Student

$3,746

Faculty Overview

62%

Male Professors

38%

Female Professors

Non-traditional Learning

Evening Degree Programs

Teacher Certification

Distance Education

Study Abroad

Majors

Most Popular Majors:

  • Teacher Education and Professional...

    305 Graduates

  • Air Transportation

    165 Graduates

  • Industrial Production Technologies/...

    153 Graduates

  • Health and Medical Administrative S...

    127 Graduates

  • Criminology

    108 Graduates

  • Psychology, General

    108 Graduates

  • Accounting and Related Services

    101 Graduates

  • Biology, General

    96 Graduates

  • Criminology

    108 Graduates

  • Psychology, General

    108 Graduates

  • Accounting and Related Services

    101 Graduates

  • Biology, General

    96 Graduates

  • Social Work

    87 Graduates

  • Mechanical Engineering Related Tech...

    83 Graduates

  • Radio, Television, and Digital Comm...

    83 Graduates

  • Health and Physical Education/Fitne...

    77 Graduates

  • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervent...

    74 Graduates

  • Computer and Information Sciences,...

    74 Graduates

  • Management Sciences and Quantitativ...

    61 Graduates

  • Mechanical Engineering

    59 Graduates

  • Journalism

    58 Graduates

  • Zoology/Animal Biology

    58 Graduates

  • Marketing

    57 Graduates

  • Teacher Education and Professional...

    57 Graduates

  • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General...

    56 Graduates

  • Fine and Studio Arts

    55 Graduates

  • Forestry

    49 Graduates

  • Film/Video and Photographic Arts

    46 Graduates

  • Fire Protection

    46 Graduates

  • Civil Engineering

    44 Graduates

  • Electrical Engineering Technologies...

    44 Graduates

  • Finance and Financial Management Se...

    44 Graduates

  • Animal Sciences

    41 Graduates

  • Electrical, Electronics and Communi...

    41 Graduates

  • Architecture

    38 Graduates

  • Agriculture, General

    35 Graduates

  • Dental Support Services and Allied...

    34 Graduates

  • English Language and Literature, Ge...

    34 Graduates

  • History

    34 Graduates

  • Agricultural Business and Managemen...

    32 Graduates

  • Nutrition Sciences

    31 Graduates

  • Political Science and Government

    31 Graduates

  • Computer Engineering

    30 Graduates

  • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing St...

    29 Graduates

  • Allied Health and Medical Assisting...

    28 Graduates

  • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studi...

    27 Graduates

  • Business Administration, Management...

    26 Graduates

  • Communication Disorders Sciences an...

    26 Graduates

  • Computer Science

    26 Graduates

  • Funeral Service and Mortuary Scienc...

    25 Graduates

  • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Ot...

    25 Graduates

  • Hospitality Administration/Manageme...

    24 Graduates

  • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Prof...

    24 Graduates

  • Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Tech...

    24 Graduates

  • Linguistic, Comparative, and Relate...

    22 Graduates

  • Chemistry

    18 Graduates

  • Mathematics

    18 Graduates

  • Design and Applied Arts

    17 Graduates

  • Economics

    17 Graduates

  • Soil Sciences

    17 Graduates

  • Applied Horticulture and Horticultu...

    16 Graduates

  • Legal Support Services

    16 Graduates

  • Physiology, Pathology and Related S...

    16 Graduates

  • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosc...

    15 Graduates

  • Physics

    15 Graduates

  • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

    13 Graduates

  • Geography and Cartography

    13 Graduates

  • Apparel and Textiles

    12 Graduates

  • Engineering Technology, General

    12 Graduates

  • Philosophy

    12 Graduates

  • Special Education and Teaching

    12 Graduates

  • Anthropology

    11 Graduates

  • Microbiological Sciences and Immuno...

    11 Graduates

  • Mining and Mineral Engineering

    9 Graduates

  • Music

    9 Graduates

  • Botany/Plant Biology

    7 Graduates

  • Communication and Media Studies

    7 Graduates

  • Sociology

    7 Graduates

  • Business/Managerial Economics

    6 Graduates

  • International/Global Studies

    5 Graduates

  • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender,...

    3 Graduates

  • Foreign Languages, Literatures, and...

    2 Graduates

  • Classics and Classical Languages, L...

    1 Graduates

Show More

Student Body

Undergraduate Students

9,552

Socio-Economic Diversity Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

39%

Full-time / Part-time

85% / 15%

Students Gender

Male

54%

US National: 44%

Female

46%

US National: 56%

LGBTQIA STUDENT RESOURCE GROUPS

ON CAMPUS WOMEN'S CENTER

Race/Ethnicity

White

67%

Unknown

0%

Black

15%

Hispanic

9%

Two or more races

3%

Non Resident alien

4%

Asian

2%

American Indian/Alaska native

0%

Native Hawaiians/Pacific islander

0%

Geographic Density

Geographic Density

High

0%

Unknown Location

17%

Out Of State

82%

In State

1%

Foreign

Economic Diversity

36% percentage of students who recieved an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Median Household Income

$59,314 per year

Campus Life

Housing

The students can reside on campus and N/A of Freshman Live On-Campus.

On Campus Housing Available

Yes

Freshmen Required to Live on Campus

No

Freshmen Live on Campus

N/A

Undergrads in College Housing

26%

Averege Housing Cost

$6,292/year

Campus Food

The institution has several dining and meal plan options available to students and the average meal plan cost is around $4,330/year.

Meal Plan Available

Yes

Average Meal Plan Available

$4,330/year

Athletes

Division Sports Nickname

Salukis

School Colors

maroon and white

Varsity Athletics Association

NCAA

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary

Missouri Valley Conference

Total Male Athletes

N/A

Total Female Athletes

N/A

Intramural Sports

41

Sports Club

58

Sports Team (Men)

Baseball

Basketball

Cross Country

Football

Golf

Swimming and Diving

Track and Field

Sports Team (Women)

Basketball

Cross Country

Golf

Soccer

Softball

Swimming and Diving

Track and Field

Volleyball

Campus Security

Students who want to enjoy the campus and lodging life can benefit from the on-campus housing facility provided by SIUC. At SIUC, $10,622 is the normal expense for on-campus housing, which a student will be needed to pay, each year. The average meal plan at SIUC costs around $4,330 a year. Notably, students at the varsity get to choose from various dining and meal plan options as well. The university considers the safety and security of its students to be paramount. At SIUC, campus safety and security features include 24-hr security patrol, campus emergency phones, 24-hr escort safety rides and mobile campus emergency alert. There are around 54% male and 46% female students enrolled at the university.

24-Hour Security Patrol

Campus Emergency Phones

24-Hour Escort Safety rides

Mobile Campus Emergency Alert

After Graduation

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

$33,200/year

Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduation

$42,900/year

Median Total Debt After Graduation The median cumulative federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated.

$12,000 - $32,334

Typical Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 4.53% interest rate.

$125 - $336

Outcomes 8 Years of Attending

Show data for students who

and started their studies

Out of 7,811 students

30% Graduated

10% Still Enrolled

15% Transfer

1% Withdraw

Financial Aid

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid.

88%

Average Aid Per Year

$11,738

Students Receiving Federal Grants

47%

Average Aid Per Year

$5,530

Students Receiving State Aid

43%

Average Aid Per Year

$5,085

Students Receiving Institutional Grants

78%

Average Aid Per Year

$7,070

Average Grant & Scholarship by Family Income Aid awarded based on the family income.

Income

Average Amount

< $30K

$14,144

$30K - $48K

$14,214

$48K - $75K

$12,299

$75K - $110K

$7,856

> $110K

$4,627

Total Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$889,110

Total Non-Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$9,067,712

The financial aid department of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale helps students by assisting them with scholarships, grants, and student loans in the event that they find the fees and the cost of living at the campus to be expensive. The average federal grant that comes from the university is around $5,423, whereas the financial aid is $8,285. The university provides financial assistance in the form of state-level aid worth $5,306 and institutional aid worth $8,285. At SIUC, the total amount of need-based scholarships/grants awarded to students stands at $889,110 per year. On the other hand, the total non-need-based scholarships/grants offered in a year add up to $9,067,712.

Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)

How hard is it to get into Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)?

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 86.9%. Strong applicants typically have above-average test scores, a rigorous course load, and compelling extracurricular activities.

How much does Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) cost?

Tuition at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is approximately $13,334 per year before financial aid. Room, board, fees, and personal expenses add to the total cost of attendance. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid that reduces the net price.

How many students attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)?

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) enrolls approximately 8,494 students across its programs.

What is the graduation rate at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)?

The graduation rate at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is 62%, reflecting the percentage of students who complete their degree within the standard timeframe.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)?

The student-faculty ratio at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is 13:1, meaning students typically have good access to faculty for mentoring, research, and smaller class experiences.

What SAT and ACT scores do I need for Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)?

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) typically admits students with SAT scores in the range of 470-590 (Reading) and 430-570 (Math) and ACT composite scores of 18-25. Check the admissions office for the most current testing requirements and whether test-optional policies apply.

Is Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) a public or private university?

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is a public institution.

When is the application deadline for Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC)?

Application deadlines at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) vary by program. Early Decision and Early Action applicants typically submit in November, while Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January. Always check the official admissions website for the current cycle's dates.

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