Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
At a Glance
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a mid-size public university in Carbondale, IL. Approximately 8,494 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 87% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Crab Orchard Lake, just 4 miles from the water. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 48/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Location
Carbondale, IL
Campus Identity
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a mid-size public university in Carbondale, IL. Approximately 8,494 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 87% acceptance rate. The campus sits on Crab Orchard Lake, just 4 miles from the water. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 48/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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@SIUC
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Campus Lifestyle
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a 10,000–19,999, small-town school with NCAA D1 athletics and a moderate greek life Greek scene. The campus is 96 miles from Hidden Valley Ski Area.
Athletics
NCAA D1
Missouri Valley
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Town setting
Weather
Warm Climate
49°F avg school-year
Greek Life at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
At Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 5% of men are in a fraternity and 4% of women are in a sorority. That is a modest Greek presence. Chapters are active, but most students are not affiliated. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.
5%
Men in fraternities
4%
Women in sororities
Moderate Greek Life
Greek life scale
Nearby Ski Resorts
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Hidden Valley Ski Area, 96 miles away with 7 lifts and 30 skiable acres. All are within 266 miles of campus.
Missouri
Indiana
Illinois
Lake Life Campus
Crab Orchard Lake is 4 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving Southern Illinois University-Carbondale students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Crab Orchard Lake
Lake access within 3.7 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Carbondale, IL
Carbondale has a mild climate, with winters averaging 32°F in Jan and summers peaking around 78°F in Jul.
Station: CARBONDALE SEWAGE PLANT · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in IL earns a composite safety score of 48/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,334 | $13,334 |
| Fees | $5,602 | $5,602 |
| Room & Board | $11,260 | $11,260 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $30,196 | $30,196 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
229 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale located?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is located in Carbondale, IL. The main campus address is Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has an acceptance rate of 87%, making it accessible. Out of 10,858 applicants, 9,433 were admitted in the most recent year. 8,494 enrolled.
How many students attend Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale enrolls 8,494 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What ACT score do you need for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale scored between 18 and 25 on the ACT, with a median of 22. About 8% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale charges $13,334/year for in-state students and $13,334/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($11,260/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $15,240/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,297/year — what students actually pay. Use Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
The undergraduate application fee at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is $40. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale a Division I (D1) school?
Yes. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is an NCAA Division I school, part of the Missouri Valley. Division I is the top tier of NCAA athletics, home to the largest programs, athletic scholarships, and nationally televised games.
What percentage of students at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale are in Greek life?
At Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 5% of men are in a fraternity and 4% of women are in a sorority. That is a modest Greek presence. Chapters exist and are active, but most students are not affiliated. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale the right fit for me?
Whether Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (87% admit rate), avg net price ($13,297/year after aid), campus culture in Carbondale, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Southern Illinois University-Carbondale against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Southern Illinois University-Carbondale directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- Carbondale, IL
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, Certificates
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- Missouri Valley
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 49°F avg
- App Fee
- $40
- On Campus Safety Score
- 48/100
- Nearest Airport
- Murphysboro, IL (MDH) · 5 mialso MWA (11 mi), CGI (39 mi)