Shawnee Community College: $4,650 Tuition

$4,650Tuition

675Students

44%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$32,999Earnings

Public2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Shawnee Community College

Shawnee Community College serves the farmland and small towns of southern Illinois with practical career training and college transfer options. The college enrolls 675 students in a rural setting where most students come from nearby communities. Nearly 96% of students are from Illinois, creating a close-knit atmosphere where everyone knows each other. The Saints compete in five NJCAA sports with 74 total athletes sharing $461,261 in athletic scholarships.

Students pay an average of $4,542 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable college options in the region. Low-income families pay just $3,538 net price, while even middle-class families rarely pay more than $8,000. Graduates earn a median of $32,999 ten years after starting college, which represents solid value for the investment. The college maintains a 90.4% employment rate, helping students find work quickly after completing their programs.

Women make up 62% of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in nursing and other health programs. The 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures personal attention from instructors. About 44% of students complete their programs within six years, which includes both certificate seekers and transfer students moving on to four-year universities.

Academics & Faculty

Shawnee Community College focuses on career training and transfer preparation for students across southern Illinois. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention in small classes where professors know every student by name. About 44% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the school's role as a stepping stone for many working adults and traditional students. The college serves a practical mission with workforce development programs that connect directly to local industries and healthcare systems. Transfer students use Shawnee as an affordable pathway to four-year universities. With 675 students spread across multiple programs, the intimate campus allows for hands-on learning in labs and clinical settings.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 37.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 44.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,999

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$12,221

View all 35 programs →

Campus Life

Shawnee Community College sits in the small town of Ullin, about 30 miles from Carbondale and two hours from St. Louis. With just 675 students, you'll recognize faces across campus quickly. The rural southern Illinois setting means you'll need a good winter coat for January temperatures that often drop below freezing, plus layers for humid summers that reach the 80s and 90s.

Women make up 62% of the student body, and 96% of students come from Illinois. The campus doesn't offer housing, so most students commute from surrounding communities. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know your name and academic goals. The Saints compete in five NJCAA sports with 74 total athletes sharing $461,261 in athletic scholarships.

Weekends often revolve around outdoor activities in the nearby Shawnee National Forest or trips to Carbondale for shopping and entertainment. The small-town atmosphere means campus events draw strong attendance, and many students work part-time jobs in the area while completing their associate degrees or preparing to transfer to four-year universities.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1967

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 26°–43°F
July Avg: 68°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 49.4"
Annual Snowfall: 7.2"

Student Demographics

Shawnee draws overwhelmingly from southern Illinois, with nearly all students staying close to home for affordable career training. Women make up almost two-thirds of the student body, reflecting strong programs in healthcare and human services that attract female students. The college serves a diverse rural population, with significant Black and Hispanic representation alongside white students from farming communities. About one-third qualify for Pell Grants, showing how Shawnee provides accessible higher education for working-class families in this economically challenged region.

Men: 37.8%
Women: 62.2%
White: 72.2%
Black: 19.1%
Hispanic: 4.9%
Asian: 0.3%
In-State Students: 95.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 34.4%

Location

Ullin sits in the rural heart of southern Illinois, about 130 miles southeast of St. Louis. The college serves just 675 students in a region known for outdoor recreation and agriculture. This small town atmosphere means nearly 96% of students come from within Illinois borders. The area offers fishing, hunting, and hiking opportunities near the Shawnee National Forest. Students find a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. The rural setting provides lower living costs but fewer entertainment options than urban campuses. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students personally. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Shawnee Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Ullin, Illinois 62992

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $32,999
Median Earnings (5 years): $35,984
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,900

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Shawnee Community College?

Shawnee Community College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The college serves 675 students primarily from southern Illinois, with 95.57% coming from in-state. This accessibility makes it a popular starting point for students seeking affordable higher education or career training.

How much does Shawnee Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $4,542 annually, making it one of the most affordable options in Illinois. In-state tuition runs $4,650 before aid, while families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,538 on average. About 34.41% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's role serving working-class communities.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Shawnee Community College?

The college maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, providing personalized attention in a small-town setting. Classes focus heavily on career training and transfer preparation for students planning to continue at four-year universities. The rural campus in Ullin creates an intimate learning environment where professors know students by name.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Shawnee Community College?

Graduates achieve a 90.4% employment rate, though median earnings of $32,999 after ten years reflect the regional economy of southern Illinois. The college's career-focused programs prepare students for local industries and essential services. Many graduates also transfer to four-year institutions to pursue bachelor's degrees.

Where is Shawnee Community College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Ullin, a small rural community in southern Illinois near the convergence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. With just 675 total students, the college offers an intimate atmosphere where 62.22% of students are women. The Saints compete in five NJCAA sports with 74 total athletes, creating school spirit despite the small size.

Does Shawnee Community College have a good graduation rate?

The college posts a 44.10% six-year graduation rate, which reflects both the challenges facing rural community colleges and the diverse paths students take. Many students attend part-time while working or transfer before completing associate degrees. The college has served southern Illinois since 1967, adapting to meet changing workforce needs in the region.