At $13,696/yr net price, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville graduates earn $56,346/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,346/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,696 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $54,784 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,346/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,346/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,459/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,208/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,954/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,190/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,503/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $147,557 | |
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $131,918 | $252,399 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $122,038 | $127,762 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $74,576 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $67,240 | $21,551 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $65,979 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $65,889 | $24,000 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $62,012 | $25,608 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $60,452 | $14,077 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,534 | $21,774 |
The Risk Factor
55.0% of students at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville 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
SIU-Edwardsville gives you a solid financial return with low risk. You pay under $14,000 a year on average, carry about $20,500 in debt at graduation, and clear $56,000 a decade out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is one of the healthier ones you'll find at a public four-year school, and it keeps monthly payments manageable on almost any starting salary.
Engineering and computer science are where the money is here. Computer science graduates top the list, and they earn it with debt in line with the rest of campus. Construction engineering technology and electrical engineering both clear $65,000, though electrical grads borrow closer to $24,000. Mechanical and civil engineering land in the high-$50,000s, still comfortably above the school-wide median. All five top earners are bachelor's programs, so these are real undergraduate outcomes, not graduate-degree numbers.
The main risk is finishing. A 55% graduation rate and 72% retention mean a meaningful share of students leave, and if you take on debt and don't graduate, the math stops working. The engineering payoff assumes you complete a demanding program.
The income-based net price scale works in your favor if your family earns less. Under $30,000, you pay about $7,500 a year. that jumps to roughly $18,000 once household income passes $75,000. Middle and lower-income families get the real discount here.
This school fits you if you want an engineering or computer science degree without heavy borrowing, and you're confident you'll finish. If you're leaning toward a lower-paying major, the return still holds because costs stay low, but the upside is smaller. If completion is a concern for you, weigh that before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville worth the cost?
SIUE offers decent value for students who choose high-paying programs like nursing, dentistry, or pharmacy, where graduates earn $120,000+ annually. However, the overall 10-year earnings of $56,346 and 55% graduation rate suggest mixed outcomes for other majors.
What are the best paying majors at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville?
Nursing administration leads at $147,557 annually, followed by dentistry at $131,918 and pharmacy at $122,038. Engineering and computer science graduates earn $74,576 and $67,240 respectively, which are solid but not exceptional salaries.
How much debt do Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville graduates have?
The median debt is $20,500, which is manageable for high-earning health programs but potentially problematic for lower-paying majors. With overall graduate earnings averaging $56,346, debt-to-income ratios vary significantly by program.
Does Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville have good job outcomes?
Job outcomes depend heavily on your major at SIUE. Health professional programs place well with strong salaries, but the 55% graduation rate indicates many students don't complete their degrees, limiting career prospects.