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Southern Illinois University Carbondale acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as SIU
Southern Illinois University Carbondale accepts 87% of applicants. It is a public university in Carbondale, Illinois, with about 8,494 undergraduates. The sticker price is $25,885 a year for state residents, but after aid the average family pays $12,554.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for SIU?
Most Illinois residents with a 2.0 GPA or higher have a better-than-even estimated chance, and from about 3.0 admission is likely.
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into Southern Illinois University Carbondale by GPA
Assumes an SAT of 1045, the middle score for admitted students (tests are optional here). A higher or lower score moves these numbers. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | Illinois resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 52% Target | 24% Reach |
| 2.7 | 67% Target | 37% Target |
| 3.0 | 84% Likely | 60% Target |
| 3.3 | 93% Likely | 79% Target |
| 3.5 | 96% Likely | 88% Likely |
| 3.7 | 97% Likely | 93% Likely |
| 3.9 | 97% Likely | 93% Likely |
| 4.0 | 97% Likely | 93% Likely |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
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Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $25,885 a year for state residents including room and board.
| Family income | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50k | $8,900 | $8,900 |
| $50k – $100k | $8,900 | $8,900 |
| $100k – $150k | $14,100 | $14,100 |
| $150k – $250k | $25,600 | $25,600 |
| Over $250k | $25,885 | $25,885 |
Out-of-state figures add most of the tuition difference, since state grants rarely follow students across state lines.
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
What is the acceptance rate at Southern Illinois University Carbondale?
Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits 87% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into Southern Illinois University Carbondale?
Most Illinois residents with a 2.0 GPA or higher have a better-than-even estimated chance, and from about 3.0 admission is likely. This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores, activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Southern Illinois University Carbondale?
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 900–1160 on the SAT and 18–25 on the ACT. Submitting scores is optional.
How much does Southern Illinois University Carbondale cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $25,885 a year for state residents including room and board, but the average family pays $12,554 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $8,900 in-state.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Illinois University Carbondale?
59% of students finish their degree, and 67% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL · admits 88%
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL · admits 77%
- Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL · admits 82%
- University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX · admits 87%
- Washington State UniversityPullman, WA · admits 87%
- University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI · admits 87%