More selective than 25% of Illinois colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
36% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 11% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Southern Illinois University-Carbondale over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Southern Illinois University-Carbondale weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Southern Illinois University-Carbondale reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Rigor of high school courses
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.29. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
100% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 470 | 590 |
| SAT math | 430 | 570 |
| ACT composite | 18 | 25 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 900 | 1160 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 87% | 470–590 | 430–570 | 18–25 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 90% | 470–580 | 440–560 | 20–27 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale compared with other Illinois colleges?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has the 40th-lowest acceptance rate of 53 Illinois colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Saint Xavier University | 84% | 57% | $10,970 |
| 37 | Trinity Christian College | 85% | 58% | $19,125 |
| 38 | Eureka College | 85% | 42% | $17,349 |
| 39 | University of Illinois Springfield | 86% | 53% | $9,833 |
| 40 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | 87% | 62% | $13,297 |
| 41 | Wheaton College | 87% | 85% | $26,975 |
| 42 | Illinois State University | 88% | 65% | $19,398 |
| 43 | Columbia College Chicago | 89% | 52% | $26,598 |
| 44 | Dominican University | 90% | 55% | $11,745 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Illinois colleges →
Who enrolls at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale admissions questions
What is the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale acceptance rate?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale accepts 87% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 9,407 of 10,401 applicants were admitted.
Does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale require the SAT or ACT?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 36% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 11% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
The middle 50% of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale enrolled first-year students scored 900–1160 on the SAT and 18–25 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
17% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,621 of 9,407).
What does Southern Illinois University-Carbondale look for in applicants?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale reports these as very important for first-year applicants: class rank, high school GPA. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, essay, recommendations. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale getting harder to get into?
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale accepted 87% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 90% for Fall 2023.
Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Southern Illinois University-Carbondale's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale overview