Carbondale, IL · Private University
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$53,390
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$13,244
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$13,244
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$52,976
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.03x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
56.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,543
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,177
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates earn $8,390 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale ranked by graduate earnings
29 graduates
40 graduates
65 graduates
27 graduates
41 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, the gap between the highest-earning major (Fire Protection: $104,017) and the lowest (Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services: $25,921) is $78,096/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Fire ProtectionBest ROI(1yr data) | $104,017 | 7.8x |
| Computer Science | $81,188 | 6.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $80,996 | 6.1x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $77,944 | 5.9x |
| Civil Engineering | $71,341 | 5.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $70,569 | 5.3x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $67,464 | 5.1x |
| Agriculture, General | $63,031 | 4.8x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $62,784 | 4.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $60,744 | 4.6x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $60,537 | 4.6x |
| Air Transportation | $59,650 | 4.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $58,561 | 4.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $58,331 | 4.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,569 | 4.3x |
| Economics | $54,554 | 4.1x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $54,553 | 4.1x |
| Soil Sciences | $54,080 | 4.1x |
| Architecture | $53,665 | 4.0x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $53,503 | 4.0x |
| Marketing | $53,389 | 4.0x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $51,610 | 3.9x |
| Criminology | $50,711 | 3.8x |
| Biology, General | $49,849 | 3.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $49,182 | 3.7x |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science | $47,058 | 3.5x |
| Forestry | $46,984 | 3.5x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $46,254 | 3.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $46,108 | 3.5x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $44,205 | 3.3x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $43,409 | 3.3x |
| Journalism | $42,041 | 3.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,021 | 3.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $40,396 | 3.0x |
| Social Work | $39,975 | 3.0x |
| Psychology, General | $39,760 | 3.0x |
| Legal Support Services | $39,092 | 3.0x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $38,449 | 2.9x |
| History | $37,394 | 2.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $36,390 | 2.8x |
| Animal Sciences | $36,249 | 2.7x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $35,648 | 2.7x |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $35,205 | 2.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,550 | 2.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies(1yr data) | $32,465 | 2.5x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $32,289 | 2.4x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $28,499 | 2.1x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $27,862 | 2.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesLowest(1yr data) | $25,921 | 2.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $53,390 10 years after starting, $8,390 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.9 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.