Edwardsville, IL · Private University
Is Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$56,346
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$12,922
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$12,922
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$51,688
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.36x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
55.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$20,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,696
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates earn $11,346 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 Edwardsville ranked by graduate earnings
32 graduates
92 graduates
53 graduates
96 graduates
110 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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 Edwardsville, the gap between the highest-earning major (Construction Engineering Technologies: $90,999) and the lowest (Philosophy: $23,219) is $67,780/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Engineering TechnologiesBest ROI | $90,999 | 7.0x |
| Computer Science | $89,026 | 6.9x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $79,325 | 6.1x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $76,157 | 5.9x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $75,517 | 5.8x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $73,092 | 5.7x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $71,841 | 5.6x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $70,999 | 5.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $70,607 | 5.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,825 | 5.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $65,654 | 5.1x |
| Chemistry | $57,878 | 4.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $55,237 | 4.3x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,476 | 4.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,966 | 4.0x |
| Geography and Cartography | $51,648 | 4.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $50,586 | 3.9x |
| Biology, General | $50,151 | 3.9x |
| Social Work | $43,403 | 3.4x |
| Psychology, General | $42,569 | 3.3x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $42,405 | 3.3x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,793 | 3.2x |
| History | $41,194 | 3.2x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,228 | 3.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,769 | 3.0x |
| Sociology | $38,639 | 3.0x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $35,023 | 2.7x |
| Music(1yr data) | $34,079 | 2.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,551 | 2.5x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $31,912 | 2.5x |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General(1yr data) | $31,570 | 2.4x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $23,379 | 1.8x |
| PhilosophyLowest(1yr data) | $23,219 | 1.8x |
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 Edwardsville stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $56,346 10 years after starting, $11,346 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.4 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.