Campus Vibe
Excellent value
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public institution in Carbondale with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1060, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.
A mid-sized campus of 8.1K undergraduates with a 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.
56% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $53,390 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,177.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1060
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
51.9%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$17,750
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
52
Peer Average
92
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (216)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
69%
- •69% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Southern Illinois
History & Fun Facts
- •The Old Main Building as seen before its destruction by fire in 1969.
- •Southern Illinois Normal College was chartered by an act of the Twenty-Sixth Illinois General Assembly on March 9, 1869, the second state-supported normal school to be created in Illinois.
- •Carbondale was selected to host the university and a cornerstone-laying ceremony was held on May 17, 1870.
- •The accidental death of a site contractor and other delays prevented the university's opening until 1874.
- •The first session of the university was a summer institute with eight faculty members and an enrollment of 53 students.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
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