Brains of a Nationally Ranked Research University, Heart of a Small College

With all the brains of a nationally ranked research university and all the heart of a small college, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is where students want to be. SIU offers hands-on opportunities, top-ranked programs and indispensable resources students need to develop intellectually and professionally. The university is home to more than 12,000 undergraduate students and nearly 4,000 graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. SIU offers more than 200 majors, minors and specializations, including stellar programs in subjects such as architecture, business, engineering, journalism, theater and zoology. Despite its size, more than 80 percent of undergraduate class sections have fewer than 30 students, and the university's student-faculty ratio of 15-to-1 gives students the opportunity to thrive in an intimate, supportive community. U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges 2016" ranks SIU in the top-tier category of "Top Public Universities: National Universities," and SIU has been named one of the "Best Midwestern Colleges" by the Princeton Review.

A Rural Campus Close to Metropolitan Areas

SIU is perfectly situated in a rural area of Southern Illinois. From the traditional heart of Old Main campus, the ideal setting for outdoor concerts, to the recently refurbished central campus, SIU is the quintessential college campus. The spacious campus is equipped with plenty of green space that blends nature and academics. Thompson Woods is a park-like setting that serves as a shortcut across campus and doubles as an outdoor lab for forestry students. And the university's Campus Lake provides opportunities for recreation, with a boat dock and fitness trail.

The city of Carbondale is home to about 26,000 residents -- and, like the campus, it offers the best of both worlds. Carbondale offers many entertainment and dining options, and it also is surrounded by natural beauty, located on the fringe of the 280,000-acre Shawnee National Forest -- the only national forest in Illinois.

For those who enjoy the metropolitan areas, the university is within easy driving distance of St. Louis (two hours); Memphis, Tennessee (three hours) and Chicago (six hours).

For those with a desire to learn, SIU offers an academic experience that will take them as far as they want to go

Whatever a student's passion or interest, SIU has a good program of study. SIU offers more than 200 majors, minors, and specializations from 11 colleges and schools: Agricultural Sciences, Applied Sciences and Arts, Business, Education and Human Services, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Mass Communication and Media Arts, Science, School of Law, School of Medicine and the Graduate School.

Students can pick from a variety of special opportunities to make their SIU education fit their career aspirations. There is the University Honors Program, which offers benefits such as scholarship, leadership and mentorship, and REACH (Research-Enriched Academic Challenge), which offers undergraduates small grants and opportunities to gain research expertise by working alongside faculty mentors. For those who desire to receive a multidimensional education, there are numerous study abroad programs, and living/learning communities for those who want to live with like-minded students. Through SIU's undergraduate extern program, students are paired with sponsors from companies that mesh with their professional goals. Throughout the spring break week, students spend time with their sponsors and apply knowledge from the classroom in a professional work environment.

But that's not all. SIU is dedicated to teaching and mentorship throughout all fields of study. In fact, 90 percent of the instructional faculty members are full-time teaching professionals; this dedicated staff helps all students reach their goals.

Athletics and student organizations enrich campus life

SIU has recognized student organizations (RSOs) for all types of interests. Nearly 300 RSOs represent all academic departments, a variety of faith-based and special-interest groups, sports and recreation clubs, fraternities and sororities, academic honors, residence life, ethnic, international, multicultural, political, leadership, entertainment and event programming interests. The university has about 1,100 students holding leadership positions within their respective RSOs.

When it comes to athletics, Saluki Pride fuels SIU! Saluki Athletics comprises 16 intercollegiate sports in NCAA Division I sports that primarily compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, while in football the Salukis compete in the NCAA FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), which formerly was Division I-AA. The mascot, the Saluki, is unique throughout college athletics; SIU is the only university in the nation that features the Saluki as its mascot.

The Salukis are supported by the campus and throughout the Southern Illinois region, and SIU has its own DAWG POUND. The DAWG POUND is the student spirit group that supports the Salukis at all home games, and it creates a great home field/court advantage. All SIU students have free admission to athletic events.

Paying for SIU

SIU offers tuition rates equal to those paid by in-state students to incoming freshmen, transfer and graduate students from Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and Wisconsin. The estimated $27,000 annual cost includes tuition, fees, room and board and approximate costs for books, supplies and living expenses. Because the university's mission is to make sure nothing stands between students and their education, more than 90 percent of students receive some form of financial aid. SIU also has announced a new merit scholarship program for incoming freshmen that is designed to reward students for their academic achievements, and to cover more tuition expenses. Based on students' academic achievements, they already may qualify for significant award funding! To learn more, please visit scholarships.siu.edu.

Campus Information and Services

SIU offers a number of student services, including health care, a wellness center, tutoring, placement services, day care and health insurance. The school provides the balance between intensive study and relaxation opportunities with an expanded Morris Library and our Student Recreation Center and Student Center. SIU also places an emphasis on student safety with 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols through the fully commissioned police force, emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols and controlled residence hall access.

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Agriculture
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Animal Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Plant Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Architecture
• Architecture
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Area and ethnic studies
• African American/Black Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Botany/Plant Biology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Microbiology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physiology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Zoology/Animal Biology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Accounting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/Managerial Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Finance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Hospitality Administration Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Management Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Marketing/Marketing Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Journalism
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Radio and Television
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Information Science/Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Early Childhood Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Special Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Trade and Industrial Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering
• Civil Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mechanical Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mining and Mineral Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering technologies
• Automotive Engineering Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Industrial Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Family and consumer sciences
• Apparel and Textiles
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• Foreign Languages and Literatures
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Linguistics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Communication Sciences and Disorders
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dental Hygiene
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health/Health-Care Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Medical Radiologic Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical Therapy Technology
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Physician Assistant
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services
• Fire Services Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Nutrition Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Law/legal studies
• Legal Assistant/Paralegal
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mechanic and repair technologies
• Avionics Maintenance Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Forestry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Parks and recreation
• Kinesiology and Exercise Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Parks, Recreation and Leisure
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sport And Fitness Administration/Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Personal and culinary services
• Funeral Service and Mortuary Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geology/Earth Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Social Work
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Anthropology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geography
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Transportation and materials moving
• Airline Pilot and Flight Crew
  Associate Degree offered for this major.
• Aviation/Airway Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Cinematography and Film/Video Production
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Design and Visual Communications
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dramatic/Theater Arts and Stagecraft Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fine/Studio Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interior Design
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied7,941
• Accepted6,049
• Acceptance Rate76%
• Enrolled10,987
• Female Applicants4,375
• Females Accepted3,309
• Female Acceptance Rate75%
• Male Applicants3,566
• Males Accepted2,740
• Male Acceptance Rate76%
• Applying
• Application Fee $40
• Required for All Transcript of high school record
  
• Required for Some
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.14
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen Yes
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Yes
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer Yes
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 440 530
• SAT Math 480 600
• SAT Writing
• ACT Composite 20 26
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$9,450
• Out-of-state tuition *$23,625
• In-district tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$4,486
• Room and board *$10,622
• Room only *Not Reported
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredYes
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionChildren of Alumni, Employees or children of employees, Senior Citizens

• Average Financial Aid Package:$15,046
• Average Freshman Financial Aid Package:$17,101
• Average International Student Financial Aid Package:$18,982
• Average Loan Aid:$4,693
• Average Grant Aid:$6,693
• Average Scholarship and/or Grant Aid Awarded:$7,904
• Percentage of Students with Need who Receive Financial Aid:99%
• Average Percentage of Financial Need Met: 61%
• Percentage of Students Who Had Their Need Fully Met: 10%

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students10,987
• Male Student Percentage54%
• Female Student Percentage46%
• Race/Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino8.87%
• Black or African American16.26%
• White or Caucasian65.09%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.28%
• Asian1.72%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.1%
• Two or more races3.63%
• Unknown or International Student.11%
• Other Student Statistics
• International Breakout3.94% representing 47 other countries
• Out-of-state Students17% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements None
• Housing options Coed housing , Female-only housing, Special housing for disabled, Male-only housing, Cooperative housing
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 22%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station Yes
• Student-run television station Yes
• Marching band Yes
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services Yes
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center Yes
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities Yes
• Greek sororities Yes
• Local fraternities Yes
• Local sororities Yes
• Other organizations No
• Most popular organizations Inter-Greek Council, Undergraduate Student Government, Black Affairs Council, Residence Hall Association, Equestrian Club
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Yes
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other well-lit pathways, night safety vans, student transit system

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Archery Yes No No
• Badminton Yes No No
• Baseball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Basketball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Bowling Yes No No
• Cheerleading No Yes No
• Cross-country running No Division 1 Yes
• Equestrian sports Yes No No
• Fencing Yes No No
• Football No Division B Yes
• Golf No Division 1 Yes
• Gymnastics Yes No No
• Lacrosse Yes No No
• Racquetball Yes No No
• Rock climbing Yes No No
• Rugby Yes No No
• Sailing Yes No No
• Soccer Yes No No
• Softball No No No
• Swimming No Division 1 Yes
• Table Tennis Yes No No
• Tennis Yes No No
• Track No Division 1 Yes
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes No No
• Water polo Yes No No
• Weight Lifting Yes No No
• Wrestling Yes No No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Archery Yes No No
• Badminton Yes No No
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Bowling Yes No No
• Cheerleading No Yes No
• Cross-country running No Division 1 Yes
• Equestrian sports Yes No No
• Fencing Yes No No
• Football No No No
• Golf No Division 1 Yes
• Gymnastics Yes No No
• Lacrosse No No No
• Racquetball Yes No No
• Rock climbing Yes No No
• Rugby Yes No No
• Sailing Yes No No
• Soccer Yes No No
• Softball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Swimming Yes Division 1 Yes
• Table Tennis Yes No No
• Tennis Yes No No
• Track No Division 1 Yes
• Ultimate Frisbee Yes No No
• Volleyball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Water polo Yes No No
• Weight Lifting Yes No No
• Wrestling Yes No No

• Faculty Breakdown
• Total Faculty998
• Full-time Percentage83%
• Part-time Percentage17%
• Female Percentage43%
• Male Percentage57%
• Student:Faculty Ratio14:1 or 10,963 students to 802 faculty