Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Acceptance Rate &
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public research university in Carbondale, Illinois, serving roughly 8,494 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 86.88% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $53,390 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $13,334
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,297 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 86.88% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 8,494 86.5% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 62.41%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 35.3%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition decrease of 14.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 3.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 79.5%
- Average SAT Score: 1055
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 9,562
- Applicants (IPEDS): 10,401
- Room & Board: $12,341 annual estimate
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: what the data shows
Common questions about Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL (ZIP 62901-4512).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale public or private?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a Public institution.
How much does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale cost?
Published tuition: $13,334.
Average net price after aid: $13,297.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,415 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $8,497 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $10,308 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,724 |
| $110,001+ | $23,254 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $53,336.
How hard is it to get into Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Admission rate: 86.88%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1055 and midpoint ACT 24.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Total enrollment: 8,494 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 9,562 students.
Graduate enrollment: 3,237 students.
About 86% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
150%-time completion rate: 62.41%.
First-year retention: 66.8%.
What do graduates of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale earn?
Median earnings: $43,087 six years after entry; $53,390 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,543.
38.83% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist (133 completions)
- Aviation/Airway Management and Operations (122 completions)
- Psychology, General (104 completions)
- Law (85 completions)
- Social Work (84 completions)
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management (83 completions)
- Medicine (79 completions)
- 01.3132 (77 completions)
- Physician Associate/Assistant (76 completions)
- Computer Science (68 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 86.88%; completion rate 62.41%; median earnings $53,390 at 10 years; net price $13,297. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$13,334
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale was $13,334.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,297
2024 Value
In 2024 Southern Illinois University-Carbondale had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,297.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$53,188 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,297 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$53,336 4-Year Tuition
$12,341 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,100 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$26,775 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$107,100 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Financial Aid by Income Level
38.83% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
44.65% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $12,093 | $24,716 | $16,265 |
| 2014 | $12,248 | $24,871 | $16,247 |
| 2015 | $13,137 | $26,390 | $16,048 |
| 2016 | $13,481 | $27,130 | $17,660 |
| 2017 | $13,932 | $28,107 | $17,175 |
| 2018 | $14,704 | $29,160 | $16,843 |
| 2019 | $14,904 | $29,360 | $16,945 |
| 2020 | $15,104 | $15,104 | $16,285 |
| 2021 | $15,240 | $15,240 | $16,316 |
| 2022 | $15,416 | $15,416 | $16,729 |
| 2023 | $13,244 | $13,244 | $16,177 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
86.88% Acceptance Rate
10,401 Total Applicants
9,407 Students Admitted
1,621 First-Time Students Enrolled
17.23% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1055
ACT Average: 24
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale reported total enrollment of about 8,494 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 48% male and 52% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (64.6%), Black or African American (17.3%), and Hispanic or Latino (10.3%). About 38.83% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
86.5% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 2024 is 8,494 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 9,562 students. Graduate enrollment is about 3,237 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
66.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 64.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
40.38% 100% Completion Time
62.41% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 40.38% of students graduating from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist: 22% male / 78% female
- Aviation/Airway Management and Operations: 80% male / 20% female
- Psychology, General: 27% male / 73% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Return on Investment
$21,543 Median Student Debt
$53,390 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
40.35% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
903.80% Return on Investment
4.0 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 122 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist: 133 completions
2. Aviation/Airway Management and Operations: 122 completions
3. Psychology, General: 104 completions
4. Law: 85 completions
5. Social Work: 84 completions
6. Health/Health Care Administration/Management: 83 completions
7. Medicine: 79 completions
8. 01.3132: 77 completions
9. Physician Associate/Assistant: 76 completions
Most popular programs at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 79.5%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,501
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $18,042
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, IL, classified as Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist, Aviation/Airway Management and Operations, Psychology, General. Enrollment is approximately 8,494 students. Student body composition includes White (64.6%), Black or African American (17.3%), Hispanic or Latino (10.3%). The admission rate is 86.88%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1055. The 150%-time completion rate is 62.41%. Approximately 38.83% of students receive Pell Grants. About 35.3% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity
Location
Carbondale, IL 62901-4512
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 122 distinct degree programs, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale located?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL.
What is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is 86.9% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 10,401 applicants and 9,407 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale cost?
Reported tuition is $13,334 and average net price is $13,297 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,341 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale reports undergraduate enrollment of about 9,562 students, White (64.6%), Black or African American (17.3%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
About 35.3% of students at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale reports midpoint SAT about 1055 and midpoint ACT about 24.
What do graduates of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale earn?
Median earnings are $43,087 six years after entry and $53,390 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
The 150%-time completion rate is 62.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Southern Illinois University-Carbondale students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,543.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale public or private?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, IL.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale an HBCU?
No. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale a tribal college?
No. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Illinois college costs
- Illinois colleges by ROI
- Great Lakes regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Illinois
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.