At $16,177/yr net price, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates earn $53,390/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $19,390/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,177 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $64,708 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $53,390/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$19,390/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,543 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,928/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,082/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,206/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,819/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,582/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $104,597 | $60,389 |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $69,338 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,905 | $20,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $64,068 | $19,500 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $58,673 | $23,935 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $58,221 | $19,313 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $27,000 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $57,318 | $222,981 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $56,087 | $21,476 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $55,211 | $15,193 |
The Risk Factor
56.3% of students at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale offers mixed financial returns with some programs delivering strong outcomes while others fall short. The $16,177 annual net price keeps costs reasonable, but the 56% graduation rate means nearly half of students leave without a degree.
Your program choice makes or breaks the financial outcome here. Allied health majors earn over $100,000 annually, easily justifying the higher $60,389 debt load. Engineering programs deliver solid returns with electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering graduates earning $58,000-$66,000 while keeping debt under $24,000. Psychology majors also perform well at nearly $70,000 in earnings.
The biggest risk is choosing the wrong major. With median earnings across all graduates at $53,390, many programs clearly underperform. The low retention rate of 69% signals academic or financial struggles that could derail your investment before completion.
This school works best for students targeting specific high-return programs like engineering or allied health who can handle the academic demands. The affordable pricing makes it accessible for middle-income families, and only 37% of students receive aid, suggesting reasonable sticker prices.
Skip SIU-Carbondale if you're uncertain about your major or considering lower-earning fields. The combination of modest overall earnings and significant dropout risk makes this a poor choice for exploratory students. Engineering and health science students get solid value, but others should examine their career prospects carefully before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale worth the cost?
SIU-Carbondale's value depends heavily on your major, with allied health programs showing strong returns at $104,597 median earnings but many other programs falling short. The relatively low graduation rate of 56% and modest overall earnings of $53,390 after 10 years make it a risky investment for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
Allied health diagnostic programs lead with $104,597 median earnings, followed by psychology at $69,338 and engineering programs ranging from $58,673 to $65,905. Most other programs at SIU-Carbondale produce significantly lower earnings that may not justify the investment.
How much debt do Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates have?
The median debt of $21,543 is manageable compared to national averages, but becomes problematic given the school's low graduation rate and modest earning potential outside of select programs. Many students may struggle to complete their degree or find employment that justifies even this moderate debt level.
Does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale have good job outcomes?
Job outcomes vary dramatically by program, with allied health and some engineering majors seeing decent returns while many other graduates earn around $53,390 after 10 years. The 56% graduation rate suggests many students don't complete their programs, making employment outcomes uncertain for a large portion of enrollees.