Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois 62901-4512
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
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.
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
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Admissions
SAT Score Ranges
Average: 1060
ACT Score Range
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Typical Application Requirements
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
52.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
-9.3%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$17,750
Programs (216)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
69%
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
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).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from IL state average