Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus

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Southern Illinois University Demographics & Diversity

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  • 4 Year
  • Carbondale, IL
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#7 Best Public Universities in Illinois
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Medium

Racial Diversity Index: 55%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Southern Illinois University are primarily White with a smaller Black population. The school has medium racial diversity. 36% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of Southern Illinois University Carbondale students
Race Percent of Students
White
64%
Black
19%
Hispanic
8%
Asian
2%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
3%
International
4%
Race Unknown
0%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 13% more female students than male students enrolled at Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a gender ratio of 53% women to 47% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Southern Illinois University has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for Southern Illinois University Carbondale students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
47%
Women
53%
Enrollment by gender for Southern Illinois University Carbondale students
Gender Number of Students
Men
5,541
Women
6,249

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 15%

Southern Illinois University draws 85 percent of students from Illinois, 14 percent from other states, and 1 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Illinois, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for Southern Illinois University Carbondale students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
85%
Out of State
14%
Foreign
1%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$59,313 per year

52% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

11,790
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 18.6%
Part-time undergraduates 12.5%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to Southern Illinois University Carbondale often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=149222.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026