Southeastern Illinois College: $4,320 Tuition

$4,320Tuition

659Students

51%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$33,763Earnings

Public2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Southeastern Illinois College

Southeastern Illinois College serves rural southern Illinois as a practical launching pad for career-focused students. The campus enrolls 659 students in a close-knit community where agriculture and healthcare programs prepare graduates for local industries. About 94% of students come from Illinois, reflecting the college's deep roots in serving its immediate region. The Falcons compete in four NJCAA sports with 77 total athletes sharing $176,535 in athletic scholarships.

Students pay an average net price of $5,571, making this one of the more affordable pathways to career training in Illinois. Graduates earn a median of $33,763 ten years after enrollment, though early career earnings show promise at $45,606 after five years. Only 23% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many families fall just above federal aid thresholds but still benefit from the college's low sticker price. The 51% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many community college students juggle work and family commitments.

The student body runs 56% female and 87% white, typical for rural Illinois institutions. With an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay personal despite being a public institution. The 100% employment rate suggests strong connections between academic programs and regional job markets, though this likely reflects the tight labor market rather than strong career services.

Academics & Faculty

Southeastern Illinois College serves as a practical stepping stone for students in southern Illinois coal country. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name in this tight-knit community college environment. About 51% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the school's focus on career-ready training rather than traditional academic timelines. The college emphasizes hands-on learning in fields that match regional job markets, particularly healthcare and skilled trades. With 659 students spread across vocational and transfer programs, classes stay small enough for individualized attention. Students here typically pursue associate degrees designed to either launch careers immediately or transfer smoothly to four-year universities.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 61.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 51.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $33,763

Campus Life

Southeastern Illinois College sits in Harrisburg, a small town about 90 miles southeast of St. Louis. With just 659 students spread across campus, you'll recognize most faces by your second semester. The student body is 94% from Illinois, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. Women make up 57% of enrollment, and the campus reflects the region's demographics with 87% white students.

The rural setting means long winters require heavy coats, while humid summers call for plenty of water breaks between classes. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio ensures professors learn your name quickly. Most students commute from nearby towns since this is primarily a commuter campus. Weekends often revolve around the four varsity sports teams, with 77 total athletes competing as the Falcons in NJCAA athletics. Students frequently head to nearby lakes for fishing and boating when weather permits. The small-town atmosphere means campus events and local hangouts become central to social life, and many students work part-time jobs in the surrounding agricultural community.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1960

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 23°–41°F
July Avg: 67°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.5"
Annual Snowfall: -773.8"

Student Demographics

Southeastern Illinois College draws overwhelmingly from the local region, with 94% of students coming from in-state. The student body is predominantly white, reflecting the rural southern Illinois community it serves. Women make up 57% of enrollment, likely drawn to the college's strong healthcare and human services programs. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, indicating the school provides accessible education for working-class families in the area. This community college functions as an educational anchor for residents seeking career training or transfer pathways without leaving home.

Men: 43.4%
Women: 56.6%
White: 87.3%
Black: 3.8%
Hispanic: 2.9%
Asian: 0.8%
In-State Students: 94.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 23.1%

Location

Southeastern Illinois College sits in Harrisburg, a small town about 100 miles southeast of St. Louis. The campus serves a rural region known for coal mining heritage and outdoor recreation near Shawnee National Forest. Around 94% of the college's 659 students come from within Illinois. The area offers a quiet, close-knit community atmosphere typical of southern Illinois farming towns. Harrisburg provides a low-cost living environment that complements the college's affordable $4,320 in-state tuition. The rural-distant setting means students experience true small-town college life without urban distractions. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Southeastern Illinois College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Harrisburg, Illinois 62946

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $33,763
Median Earnings (5 years): $45,606
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Southeastern Illinois College?

As a community college, Southeastern Illinois College maintains an open enrollment policy for students with high school diplomas or equivalent credentials. The school serves 659 students across its rural campus in Harrisburg. Most community colleges focus on accessibility rather than selectivity, making higher education available to all qualified applicants.

How much does Southeastern Illinois College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,571 annually after financial aid is applied. In-state tuition runs $4,320 while out-of-state students pay $6,540. About 23% of students receive Pell Grants, helping make this rural Illinois college affordable for working-class families.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Southeastern Illinois College?

The college maintains an 18:1 student-faculty ratio across its academic programs. With just 659 total students, classes tend to be smaller and more personal than at larger universities. This community college has built its reputation on providing individualized attention in a close-knit learning environment.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Southeastern Illinois College?

Graduates achieve a 100% employment rate, reflecting the college's focus on career-ready training programs. Alumni earn a median of $33,763 ten years after graduation, which aligns with regional wage expectations. The school has developed strong partnerships with local employers in southern Illinois to help students transition directly into the workforce.

Where is Southeastern Illinois College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Harrisburg, a small town in rural southern Illinois that serves as the county seat. About 57% of the 659 students are women, and 94% come from within Illinois. Campus life centers around the Falcons athletic teams, which compete in four NJCAA sports with 77 total student-athletes.

Does Southeastern Illinois College offer athletic scholarships?

The college awards $176,535 in athletic scholarships across its four varsity sports programs. The Falcons compete in NJCAA athletics with 77 student-athletes representing the school. For a small rural college founded in 1960, SIC has maintained a solid commitment to supporting student-athletes financially.