Southern Illinois University Carbondale SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
SIU Carbondale’s 86.9% acceptance rate means your main job is not to chase a perfect score; it is to show you are ready to succeed once enrolled. If you submit scores, aiming near 1180 SAT or 25 ACT can give your application a stronger academic signal alongside a GPA around 3.23 or higher.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale facts and stats
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public university in Carbondale, Illinois, with an undergraduate enrollment of 8,553. SIU Carbondale has a 67% freshman retention rate and a 57% six-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1.
Carbondale, IL
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Key Southern Illinois University Carbondale application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
Not offered
Early Action
—
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
May 1
Financial Aid Priority
March 1
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you choose to submit scores to test-optional SIU Carbondale, plan your first SAT or ACT by spring of junior year and use the summer before senior year and fall of senior year for retakes. Since SIU Carbondale does not list an Early Decision or Regular Decision deadline and its March 1 financial aid priority date is not tied to test scores, confirm your program’s application due date before deciding which fall retake is your last practical option.
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What you'll actually pay
SIU Carbondale is a public university in the Missouri Valley Conference, with in-state tuition of $9,638 and out-of-state tuition of $9,638. About 59% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is March 1.
SIU Carbondale’s out-of-state tuition is $9,638, with room and board adding about $12,341. Financial aid is common: 59% of students receive aid, and the average aid package is $20,694. Merit awards average $4,715, which can help reduce the bill for qualifying students. Graduates leave with an average debt of $28,459.
Student life at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
44% of undergrads live on campus
Freshman housing: Guaranteed
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 3% of men join fraternities, and 3% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
American Islamic College
Chicago, ILAcceptance rate: 100%
Augustana College
Rock Island, ILAcceptance rate: 62.8%
SAT: 1040–1260
ACT: 21–29
Aurora University
Aurora, ILAcceptance rate: 80.8%
SAT: 900–1160
ACT: 21–29
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, ILAcceptance rate: 100%
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