Tuition, Cost & Aid

Tuition is average for the state of Illinois, and SIUC offers a lot of majors that other colleges in Illinois do not. For example, I am in the Radiology program, which is the only four year program in the state of Illinois. Of course there are programs at community colleges, but this program allows people to specialize in certain areas, such as sonograms, MRI's, and radiation therapy. Like I said, the teaching is fantastic, so you are not wasting your time on crappy teaching. One thing that is annoying is the meal plan. A student living on campus has to choose either 12, 15, or 19 meals per week. A student cannot swipe in someone else unless if that other person also has a SIUC ID, which is annoying when guests from back home or other universities are in Carbondale to visit. For a visitor to eat in the dining halls, they have to pay around $7 to eat, which is not worth it for the overall quality of the food served.

There are many scholarship opportunities available through the school, you just have to look for them. The University also treats top scholars very well!

Tuition is comparable to other state schools. Although you can find cheaper housing off campus, living in the dorms isn't that that bad - especially for the first couple years. However, I felt that the dining halls meal plans were a bit expensive, especially since I never used all of my meals.

As far as tuition goes, I believe SIUC is cheaper than EIU, WIU, and NIU (comparing size of school with tuition). The recreation center is absolutely incredible, which is free for students. It is a 213,747-square-foot) building and is one of the largest of its kind in the United States on a college campus. It has a large swimming pool, one large gym with racquetball and basketball courts, and another gym including 3 length basketball courts, many racquetball courts, a tennis court, a track, a 2nd floor track that overlooks the basketball/racquetball courts, multiple weightlifting and fitness rooms, along with plenty of treadmills and elliptical machines throughout the building. SIUC also built a new football stadium which is super nice, and students are allowed to attend sporting events for free. The student center is also filled with a cafeteria (Chick Fil-a, McDonald's, etc) Starbucks, a bowling alley with pool tables, an arcade, and many places to sit and study (you'll have to discover some of those awesome study places yourself ;) ). There is a craft shop under the student center where you can go each Saturday to build things and learn how to be artsy.

I seriously believe this school is a bang for all the bucks. I originally planned on going here for simple fact that even though I had to pay out of state tuition it was still cheaper than the in state colleges I planned on going to back home in California. SIUC is really affordable on my part and they offer many services to help each individual student continue their education. This school also has its own accolades from various competitions and magazines that help make it well known around the world. I have had so many people come up to me back at home in California while wearing my SIUC shirt telling me they went their as well or that they know many people who go there or went there in the past, so its name is also worth something.

College is expensive no matter where one attends, however, Southern's determination to keep costs down, and the avaliability of many merit-based scholarships has been very helpful in paying for the education. The campus has much to offer, rendering the fees well worth the price, and tuition is relatively low, compared to many other universities. The one gripe I have is the cost of the meal plan required for living in the dorms. One might think that for nearly $8.00 per meal, they might serve more gourmet cuisine.

You can get your money's worth if you leave your dorm room enough. The opportunities are limitless for those who have passion. Don't be discouraged, ask questions, and the campus directs you in the right direction.

The AvTech program here has this great thing where you only pay for 15 credit hours worth of classes regarding the AvTech major. That is amazing!!!!! The flight program on the other hand will probably suck you dry but that is to be expected from a flight program. Don't take this the wrong way though. The flight training you get here is hands down top of the line. No question about it. Also, SIU's flight program isn't going under any time soon.

This program free so I am earning six credits in four weeks for FREE!!! Including three meals of my choice at no extra cost. I love it.

I love the fact that once your enrolled you are locked in at a specific tuition rate and it won’t change! Also I think that it’s great that some states surrounding Illinois get instate tuition as well. I think that the tuition for SIUC is fairly reasonable and make sure you apply for FASFA it really helps, also apply for a lot of scholarships there is a ton on money out there. I know it annoying and monotonous but that’s what copy and paste is for and it pays off, trust me!

I applied to alot of schools and SIUC gave me the best financial package.