简体中文
EnglishWhat is Southern Illinois University (SIU)?
Updated
Southern Illinois University (SIU) is a public university based in Carbondale, Illinois, offering undergraduate majors, graduate programs, online programs, and off-campus programs. It also includes the Simmons Law School and the School of Medicine. If you are looking for a university in Illinois with a broad range of study options and a stated focus on access and opportunity, SIU is one option to consider.
What SIU offers
SIU presents itself as a university promoting access and opportunity, where teaching fuels research and creativity, and where students are expected to become leaders. Its academic and extracurricular offerings include:
- Undergraduate Majors
- Graduate Programs
- Online Programs
- Off-Campus Programs
- Simmons Law School
- School of Medicine
The site also highlights more than 200 majors, minors, and specializations, which gives students room to tailor their education.
Key facts at a glance
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Student-faculty ratio | 11:1 |
| Outdoor education space | Over 3,000 acres of hills and forest |
| Academic options | 200+ majors, minors, and specializations |
| External grants | $69 million awarded for research and service last year |
The 11:1 ratio is described as lower than the national average, which the university connects to smaller class sizes. The 3,000+ acres support outdoor education and adventure. The $69 million in external grants reflects research and service funding.
Research and applied projects
SIU highlights several research efforts that show how teaching and research connect on campus:
- Sustainable research: SIU professors and graduate students may have found a substantial rare earth site nearby, along with a sustainable way to extract it using algae.
- Monumental research partnership: SIU secured a $45 million partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation to conduct preconstruction surveys, creating new opportunities for students.
- Disease-detecting robot: SIU researchers designed a robot and programmed its artificial intelligence models to detect soybean diseases before symptoms appear.
These examples are useful if you want to understand the kind of research activity available to students and faculty.
Cost and financial support
SIU lists several ways to make an education investment count:
- No out-of-state tuition
- Saluki Commitment
- Scholarships
- Financial Aid
The site does not provide specific tuition amounts, scholarship deadlines, or eligibility details in the available material, so you would need to check the university’s financial aid and scholarship pages for current figures and requirements.
Who SIU is for
The university organizes its “Be part of this” section by student type, which helps you identify whether it fits your situation:
- Future freshman student
- International student
- Graduate, medical, or law student
- Transfer student
- Online student
- Military or veteran student
If you fall into one of these groups, SIU provides a starting point for applying and finding relevant information.
Campus life and next steps
SIU describes itself as a “Saluki Nation” with athletics, spirit, and traditions. The site offers ways to get involved, take a virtual tour, and apply. A student spotlight features Rockette Jaros, a Recreation Professions major, who is a certified Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace master instructor, and high ropes course instructor—an example of how outdoor education connects to student experience.
To decide whether SIU is right for you, review the specific program you are interested in, confirm current costs and aid options, and use the virtual tour or campus visit to get a feel for the environment.