Is Southern Illinois University-Carbondale worth it?
✅ Excellent ROI
$113,336 total cost vs $1,073,114 estimated 10-year earnings
10
ROI Score / 10
Personalise Your Calculation
Your residency
Tuition: $13,334/year
Your intended major
$104,017/yr starting → $108,135/yr at 5 years
Years to graduate4 yrs
3 yrs4 yrs (avg)6 yrs
Annual living expenses$15,000
$8k$15k (avg)$30k
Annual scholarship / grant$0
$0$30k
Your Total Investment
Tuition (4 yrs)$53,336
Living expenses (4 yrs)$60,000
Scholarships / grants-$0
Total Cost$113,336
Estimated 10-Year Earnings
Years 1–2 (starting salary)$208,034
Years 3–10 (mid-career salary)$865,080
Total 10-yr Earnings$1,073,114
Key Numbers
$959,778
Net Return (10yr)
Earnings minus total cost
1.1 yrs
Break-Even
After graduation
+102%
vs National Avg
vs avg US college grad
10/10
ROI Score
Excellent
📊 Data sources: Tuition from IPEDS. Earnings from U.S. College Scorecard (Dept. of Education). This calculator provides estimates only and should not be the sole basis for enrollment decisions.
Data is automatically aggregated from public government sources and may be inaccurate. For informational purposes only. Always verify from official sources before making any decision. Terms of Use