Public Accountability Report

The Southern Illinois University System is one of only two public comprehensive, multicampus university systems in the State of Illinois. Southern Illinois University Carbondale, categorized as a Carnegie Research University (high research activity), has a School of Medicine in Springfield, a School of Law in Carbondale, and off-campus degree programs at 13 military bases and multiple civilian sites. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, designated as a Carnegie Doctoral/Professional, has a School of Dental Medicine in Alton, a center in East St. Louis, and a School of Pharmacy in Edwardsville. Together the two institutions serve more than 24,000 students, offering 133 bachelor’s, 121 master’s, and 42 doctoral degree programs. Their students come from all of Illinois’ 102 counties and every state in the nation. The SIU System enrolls more than 1,200 international students.

The System has an annual budget of approximately $850 million. In addition, the State of Illinois directly funds about $402 million of the System’s employee benefits costs. Each of the universities in the System has its own Foundation, with combined assets in excess of $255 million. 

Among the SIU System’s many defining characteristics and accomplishments are the following:

• Confers approximately 7,000 degrees annually.

• Connects with almost 300,000 living alumni who have benefited from an SIU education.

• Provides jobs for approximately 7,000 employees in Illinois.

• Provides southern Illinois with research, service, and training through its centers and institutes in diverse areas including agriculture, wildlife, coal, public policy, education, environment, archaeology, broadcasting, and community services.

• Generates more than $123 million from grants and contracts, with much of the funding coming from out of state.

• Provides medical, dental, and nursing care at clinics throughout southern Illinois.

• Approximately 26% of the total SIU student population is minority.