Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Carbondale, Illinois · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Or open Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in College Search to compare programs, costs and outcomes side by side.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public university in Carbondale, Illinois that admits about 87% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $13,297 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Air Transportation, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas and Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois. For the most recent reporting cycle, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 87%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1055 and an ACT composite around 24. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,297 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
SAT and ACT scores Southern Illinois University-Carbondale typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 430–570, with an EBRW midpoint near 535. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1055 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| 25th percentile | 18 |
| 50th percentile | 24 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
How much does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale actually cost?
Published tuition is $13,334 for in-state students and $13,334 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,341 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $13,297 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 39% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $13,297 |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Most popular majors at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
The most popular undergraduate programs at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Air Transportation, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas and Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. Across all programs, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale confers roughly 700 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Air Transportation program report a median income of about $66,893 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Air Transportation | 150 | $66,893 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 120 | $63,679 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | 89 | $74,324 |
| Criminology | 75 | $55,612 |
| Psychology, General | 74 | $46,393 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 67 | $70,417 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 64 | $71,582 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 61 | $46,084 |
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Southern Illinois University-Carbondale disclosed 26 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 9 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in Illinois parents ask about
Next steps for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Common questions parents ask about Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
What GPA do I need for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 430–570, with an EBRW midpoint near 535. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 18–25.
How much does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale after grants and scholarships is $13,297 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,334. Budget against the net figure.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale realistic for my child?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admits 87% of applicants, so 430–570 SAT Math is target range and below 430 is a reach. Then check the $13,297 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale accepts about 87% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale a public or private school, and where is it located?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public institution located in Carbondale, Illinois.
What are the most popular majors at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
The largest undergraduate majors at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale by annual graduates are Air Transportation, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas and Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. The school awards about 700 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale reported 26 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers