Southern Illinois University

What Southern Illinois University does

Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale is a public, Carnegie-classified R1 research university founded in 1869 in Carbondale, Illinois, operating under the governance of the SIU Board of Trustees as part of the State of Illinois university system. The institution delivers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional education across 200+ majors, minors, and specializations, including medicine (SIU School of Medicine in Springfield), law (Simmons Law School), aviation, agriculture, engineering, and the sciences, serving a student body that is approximately 40% first-generation college students, 40% ethnic minorities, and over 35% Pell Grant recipients. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and a 3,000-acre campus, SIU combines on-campus instruction with D2L Brightspace-based online delivery through SIU Online and the Extended Campus, and operates the SIU Research Park (including the 55,000 sq ft Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center incubator) as a technology-transfer and economic-development engine for a 17-county Southern Illinois region.

Revenue is generated through multiple streams: recurring tuition and fees (notably with no out-of-state tuition pricing across all programs), sponsored research grants and contracts ($80 million in FY2024 across NSF, NIH, NASA, DOE and other sources; $69 million in external grants per the main website; $61.4 million in research spending in 2023-24), intercollegiate athletics revenue anchored by the Flying Salukis aviation program's 10 national championships, and professional services from the Research Park incubator and Small Business Development Center. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer for student recruitment (high school outreach, college fairs, virtual tours, transfer pathways, and the Saluki Commitment financial guarantee) combined with event-driven community engagement and community-led regional economic development.

Underlying technology includes AI virtual patient simulation (Anam partnership for medical education), concrete 3D printing research infrastructure (Deltasys E-Forming), drone first-responder systems (Campus Public Safety), and proprietary biological research outputs including the first-ever cultured microorganism from the candidate phylum 'Atribacteria OP9' (SIUC-1). Federal compliance spans FERPA, HIPAA, HITECH, Title IX, Clery Act, and accessibility standards.

Name

Southern Illinois University

Legal name

Southern Illinois University

Website

https://siu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1869

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public R1 research university offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional (medicine, law) education across 200+ programs, serving a diverse student body with 11:1 faculty ratios and no out-of-state tuition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Flagship Public Research Universities (R1/R2) (EDAHAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Research Universities with Academic Medical Centers (AMCs) (EDAHAAAC)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Research university
• Graduate programs
• Professional schools
• Online learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Carbondale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate and graduate tuition, including in-state, out-of-state, and international students. The university offers no out-of-state tuition, making it competitive for regional and national recruitment.
2. Research Grants and Contracts: External grants and contracts from government agencies (NSF, NIH, NASA, DOE), not-for-profit organizations, and corporate interests. In fiscal year 2024, SIU earned $80 million in research, training, service and other grants and contracts. In 2023-24, spent $61.4 million on research.
3. Athletics Revenue: Revenue from intercollegiate athletics programs including ticket sales, media rights, and conference distributions. The Flying Salukis aviation team has won 10 national championships.
4. Incubator and Economic Development Services: The SIU Research Park and Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center provide incubator space, business development services, and co-working memberships to start-up companies, generating leasing and service revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public R1 research university delivering undergraduate and graduate education across 200+ majors, plus professional degrees in medicine and law through SIU School of Medicine and Simmons Law School. The university also conducts sponsored research (earning approximately $80 million annually in grants and contracts) and runs regional economic development programs through SIU Research Park and the Small Business Development Center.

Product overview

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a Research 1 (R1) classified university offering comprehensive higher education through a multi-tiered academic structure. The institution provides undergraduate majors, graduate programs, professional degrees (medicine and law), and continuing education across its colleges and schools. Academic delivery combines traditional on-campus instruction with D2L Brightspace for online/hybrid learning through SIU Online and Extended Campus. Research operations are supported by the Research Park, technology transfer initiatives, and the Office of Sponsored Projects Administration. Student services include health services, counseling, career development, and emergency notification systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SIU Carbondale Academic Programs Comprehensive higher education offerings including undergraduate majors, graduate programs, professional degrees, and continuing education across multiple colleges and schools.
• SIU School of Medicine Medical school providing medical education, physician assistant programs, and clinical research.
• SIU School of Law (Simmons Law School) Law school offering Juris Doctor degree and legal clinics for practical training.
• SIU Online and Extended Campus Division responsible for online program delivery, compliance with Online Learning Consortium quality standards, and off-campus educational offerings.
• SIU Research Park Technology and knowledge-based enterprise development center affiliated with SIU, promoting innovation and research spin-offs through incubator programs and commercial space.
• Research and Sponsored Projects Office of Sponsored Projects Administration supporting faculty research, grants, and contracts across disciplines.
• Student Health Center Medical clinic, pharmacy, counseling, and psychiatric services provided to SIU students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Less than 5% of institutions achieve R1 designation; SIU is among top research universities nationally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• University of IllinoisminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Collaborative research partnership confirming glufosinate-resistant waterhemp populations in Illinois. Weed scientists from University of Illinois and University of Minnesota working with SIU researchers on herbicide resistance research.
• University of MinnesotaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 April 2026Collaborative research partnership confirming glufosinate-resistant waterhemp populations. Resistance ratios of 2.8- to 3-fold documented in Minnesota waterhemp populations alongside Illinois findings.
• University of ArizonaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 December 2025Former athletic department partner from which Gaizka Crowley was hired away to become Arkansas's general manager. Crowley helped construct roster that improved from 4-8 to 9-3 during tenure at Arizona.
• AnamcoreTechnology or Integration · 11 August 2025AI healthcare technology partnership where Anam provides video agent technology (emotive, interactive avatars) for medical education. SIU is piloting AI virtual patients for diagnostic training. Technology offers 24/7 patient support, personalized education, and clinical training simulation. Anam reports 66% of providers using AI for everyday tasks.
• Deltasys E-FormingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2025Deltasys E-Forming launched affordable tabletop concrete 3D printer for SIU's material research capabilities. System features 600mm build volume with integrated material mixer. Enables SIU to advance sustainable construction technologies and techniques for international research institutions.
• Association of University Research Parks (AURP)minorOthersSIU Research Park is a member of AURP, connecting with global university research park network for best practices, collaboration, and knowledge sharing in technology and knowledge-based enterprise development.
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency partnership supporting Illinois business startups and innovation. SIU highlighted as leading Midwest and top 10 nationally in startup creation. Programs include Advantage Illinois, Angel Tax Credits, and EDGE program supporting job creation.
• SI Now (Southern Illinois Success Initiative)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development hub and unified voice for 17 southern counties in Illinois advancing the region as a great place to live, work, and do business. SIU Research Park serves as local manifestation of this innovation system.
• XPRIZE Carbon Removal (Elon Musk Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIU-affiliated team 'Carbon Down Under' (faculty and students) was among top 10% of approximately 500 global applicants and received XPRIZE Carbon Removal funds. Technology injects liquefied biomass into underground voids for microbial carbon sequestration. $100M total contest is largest incentive prize in history.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA-funded research for creating food sources for astronauts on longer missions. SIU microbiology professor Lahiru Jayakody leads team investigating microalgae for growing crops in lunar/planetary regolith. Also involved in NASA Astrobiology Institute 'Life Underground' project.
• National Science Foundation (NSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple NSF grants supporting SIU research: $1.33M grant for sustainability-focused geoscientists training; $167.5K grant for AI crime analysis enhancement; $442.5K CAREER grant for surgical robotic tools development.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIH grant of $442,500 to SIU engineering professor Farhan Chowdhury for stem cell research to study ways to create and direct stem cells for specific body tissue types (heart, skin, organ tissue) to speed healing.
• Regions BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegions Bank Business Plan Competition established at SIU to help advance small business development in Southern Illinois. Inaugural competition featured 16 completed submissions with technology-focused innovations and traditional business concepts.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Larger Illinois public R1 flagship university with broader brand recognition, deeper research spending, and stronger out-of-state draw. Directly competes with SIU for in-state talent, federal grants, and employer recruiting pipelines.
• University of Illinois Chicago: One of three public R1 universities in Illinois alongside SIU, with an urban location and large medical center. Comparable in research classification and Carnegie Opportunity status, but serves a different geographic and demographic footprint.
• Purdue University: Indiana-based R1 public research university with stronger brand but comparable accessibility mission and STEM-heavy research portfolio. Competes with SIU for Midwest out-of-state students and federal research dollars.
• Indiana University: Large Midwest public R1 with comparable mix of professional schools (law, medicine) and similar Opportunity College credentials. Competes for cross-border Midwest talent and research funding.
• University of Iowa: Midwest R1 public university with strong research enterprise and professional schools (law, medicine). Comparable Carnegie profile and competes for federal research funding and out-of-state enrollment in the Midwest region.

Direct peers

• Northern Illinois University: Another Illinois public university system peer competing for similar in-state undergraduate pools, with comparable tuition structure, professional programs (law), and regional economic development role.
• Illinois State University: Illinois public university with similar Carnegie classification, comparable enrollment scale, and overlapping academic programs. Competes directly with SIU for Illinois-resident undergraduates.
• Eastern Illinois University: Regional Illinois public university comparable in size, mission, and tuition model, competing for similar in-state students and serving a comparable rural-adjacent population.
• Western Illinois University: Illinois public university peer with similar Carnegie profile, enrollment scale, and rural regional mission. Competes for state appropriations and overlapping student segments.

Regional players

• Missouri State University: Adjacent-state regional public university with comparable enrollment profile and mission focus on access and affordability. Competes for southern Illinois and Midwestern transfer students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SIUC
• Facebookfacebook.com/SouthernIllinoisUniversityCarbondale
• Instagraminstagram.com/thisissiu
• TikToktiktok.com/@thisissiu
• Xx.com/siuc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/southern-illinois-university

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southern Illinois University