Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville maintains open access admission with a 97.2% acceptance rate, meaning nearly all applicants receive admission offers. This places SIUE among the most accessible four-year institutions nationally, with admission rates in the top tier for accessibility. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% demonstrates that SIUE is significantly more accessible than typical public institutions. This open admission policy reflects the university's mission to serve diverse student populations, including significant numbers of first-generation and transfer students. For prospective students, this means admission is highly probable for students meeting basic eligibility requirements. However, students should focus on program-specific requirements and academic preparation rather than admission probability. SIUE's open access model allows students to concentrate on fit, affordability, and program quality when building their college lists. The combination of accessible admission with demonstrated career outcomes makes Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville particularly valuable for students seeking educational opportunity without the uncertainty of competitive admission processes. Students should treat SIUE as a likely admission option while evaluating whether the university's programs, location, and outcomes align with their educational and career objectives.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville typically present strong academic credentials despite the university's open admission policy. SAT scores range from 900 at the 25th percentile to 1160 at the 75th percentile, with a midpoint of 1063. SAT Math scores span from 440 to 570, while SAT Verbal scores range from 460 to 590. ACT scores range from 20 at the 25th percentile to 26 at the 75th percentile, with a midpoint of 23. These ranges indicate that most enrolled students score between these bounds, though students with scores outside this range are admitted regularly given the open admission policy. The peer median SAT of 1090 shows that SIUE students score 27 points below typical public institutions, while the peer median ACT of 22 demonstrates that SIUE students perform one point above this benchmark. These academic profiles reflect students who are academically prepared for college-level work while representing diverse educational backgrounds. Students scoring within the 25th to 75th percentile ranges can expect to find peers with similar academic preparation. If your scores fall outside these ranges, you can still expect admission and should focus on academic readiness and support resources rather than competitive positioning. Prospective students should consider whether they prefer an environment with diverse academic backgrounds versus more academically homogeneous student bodies when evaluating institutional fit.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville enrolls a diverse student body that reflects its open admission mission and regional focus. The university serves 31.6% Pell-eligible students, indicating substantial enrollment of students from lower-income families requiring federal financial aid. First-generation college students comprise 30.7% of enrollment, demonstrating SIUE's role in expanding educational access to families without college experience. Transfer students represent 37.1% of enrollment, reflecting the university's commitment to providing pathways for community college graduates and students changing institutions. This composition indicates that Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville prioritizes educational access and serves students from diverse economic and educational backgrounds. The substantial transfer population suggests strong articulation agreements and transfer-friendly policies that support student mobility within higher education. Students from lower-income backgrounds should note that nearly one-third of peers share similar financial circumstances, potentially providing community and shared experience. First-generation students can expect to find substantial peer support and institutional understanding of their unique needs and challenges. Transfer applicants should view the 37.1% transfer share as evidence of institutional commitment to supporting students from diverse educational pathways and providing successful degree completion regardless of starting point.
Given SIUE's 97.2% acceptance rate, admission is highly probable for most applicants. However, students seeking alternatives for location, cost, or program fit have several options with comparable outcomes.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who enroll at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville demonstrate solid persistence and degree completion rates relative to the diverse student population served. The freshman retention rate of 72.2% indicates that approximately seven in ten first-year students return for their sophomore year, slightly below the peer median of 73.2%. Six-year graduation rates reach 55.0%, above the peer median of 49.3%, indicating stronger degree completion than typical institutions serving similar student populations. Pell-eligible students graduate at 46.9%, creating an 8.1 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This gap reflects challenges that lower-income students face in degree completion but remains within typical ranges for public institutions serving diverse populations. The positive difference between SIUE's overall completion rate and peer institutions suggests effective student support systems that help diverse learners succeed academically. Students who gain admission can expect institutional support for persistence and degree completion, particularly given the university's track record of above-average graduation rates. Lower-income students should weigh the Pell completion gap when considering fit but can take confidence in the university's above-average overall completion rates. Prospective students should view these retention and completion metrics as indicators of an academic environment that supports diverse learners through degree completion despite varying levels of academic and economic preparation.
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