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 gives you a solid but uneven financial return. At a net price near $16,000 a year and median earnings above $53,000 a decade out, the math works in your favor if you finish. The problem is finishing: only about 56% graduate, and roughly a third of students don't return after their first year. That gap is the real risk here. If you borrow, start, and leave without a degree, you carry debt with none of the earnings payoff.
Engineering is where this school pays off best. Electrical engineering and mechanical engineering both clear $64,000 with debt under $20,000, so you graduate owing less than a year's starting salary. Computer engineering and computer science earn strong wages too, but computer science carries the heaviest debt of the top programs, which thins out the advantage. If you're aiming for any of these, the numbers line up well.
Outside engineering and computer fields, no program-level earnings are listed, so treat the school's median as your realistic guide. That $53,000 median is decent but not high, and it reflects a regional Illinois job market that isn't packed with high-paying employers.
Net price tells a clear income story. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay in the $12,000 to $13,000 range, which makes this one of the better values for you. Cross into the $75,000-plus brackets and price jumps to roughly $23,000, nearly doubling your yearly cost.
This school fits you if you're targeting engineering or coming from a lower-income household. If you're undecided, prone to dropping courses, or a higher-income family paying full sticker, weigh the retention numbers hard before committing.
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.