Salukis collaborate on their assignments. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
June 26, 2025
SIU Carbondale’s summer enrollment rises almost 15% since 2021
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois University Carbondale is enjoying increasing enrollment this summer, up almost 5% from last year and almost 15% compared to 2021. It is the sixth semester in a row that enrollment continues to rise.
“This is wonderful news,” said Chancellor Austin A. Lane, “and it is the result of strategic planning and the hard work of many Salukis, including our faculty and staff, our alumni and friends, and members of our community. I want to personally thank everyone involved in our efforts over the past few years to increase access, improve retention and promote what Southern has to offer.”
A total of 5,264 students, or 239 more than last year and 677 more than 2021, are pursuing their studies at SIU Carbondale. (Summer enrollment is typically lower than fall and spring.)
“The remarkable growth since 2021 shows there is a demand for summer courses, whether students take classes here on our beautiful campus or online,” said Wendell Williams, vice chancellor for enrollment management. “Summer is an opportunity for students to stay on track for graduation, and we are pleased to see Salukis taking advantage of our increased offerings.”
Enrollment has grown in several key areas, including online (about 12%), continuing undergraduate (5%) and graduate (3%) students.
And the student body is diverse, with more students who identify as Black (almost 14%) and Hispanic (more than 7%).
Since 2020, SIU Carbondale has launched the Saluki Commitment and Saluki Transfer Commitment to close financial gaps for students who qualify and raised the family income limit to $103,040; joined the Common App; signed agreements with several schools and youth organizations in the Southern Illinois region and the Metro East; started the Say Yes initiative and more strategically recruited students.
The university has also implemented several initiatives in recent years to help students become alumni, including strengthening the first-year experience, launching the HEROES program to help students meet basic needs and reinstituting the Dr. Seymour Bryson Future Scholars summer program.
This year, SIU Carbondale became part of an extraordinary group. It is one of only 21 institutions in the country to be included on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Education’s lists for Research 1 and Opportunity Colleges and Universities.
“We are not slowing down our efforts to recruit and retain students,” Lane said. “As we look forward to fall 2025, we will continue to emphasize what a special place Southern is. We are a top research university, and we are committed to providing Salukis with access and a great return on investment.”