Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL
Quick Facts
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Empowering the Greater St. Louis Metro East with comprehensive public higher education.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), a prominent public university, was founded in 1957 out of a critical need for accessible higher education in the growing Metro-East region. Initially established as an extension of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, SIUE quickly surpassed expectations, demonstrating the immense demand for its programs. Its creation was a direct response to a 1957 report highlighting that local students were significantly less likely to complete a four-year degree due to the lack of a nearby institution and financial barriers.
Today, SIUE is known for its comprehensive academic offerings, structured across eight constituent undergraduate and graduate colleges. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, and specialized Schools of Business, Dental Medicine, Education, Engineering, Nursing, and Pharmacy. This diverse academic portfolio, coupled with its strategic location on a spacious 2,660-acre suburban campus, effectively caters to a wide array of student interests and regional workforce needs, particularly in essential fields like business administration, nursing, education, and industrial technology.
The student experience at SIUE is vibrant and dynamic, extending well beyond the classroom. Students can immerse themselves in numerous extracurricular activities, including NCAA Division I athletics as the Cougars in the Ohio Valley Conference, various honor societies, and a wealth of student clubs and organizations, as well as fraternities and sororities. The university also boasts a rich cultural history, notably hosting the Mississippi River Festival from 1969 to 1980, which brought world-renowned artists and orchestras to campus. With a commitment to broad accessibility, SIUE offers in-state tuition for undergraduate students from all 50 states, reinforcing its dedication to serving a diverse and wide-reaching student body.
Key Highlights
- ✦Established in 1957 to address a critical need for higher education in the Metro-East area.
- ✦Features a spacious 2,660-acre suburban campus within the Greater St. Louis Metro East.
- ✦Serves 12,813 students, including 9,925 undergraduates, as of Fall 2025.
- ✦Offers in-state tuition rates for undergraduate students from all 50 states, enhancing accessibility.
- ✦Houses 8 constituent colleges and schools, notably including Dental Medicine and Pharmacy.
- ✦Competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Cougars, part of the Ohio Valley Conference.
- ✦Supported by a proud and expansive network of over 115,000 alumni.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
8 notable schools within Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
College of Arts and Sciences
Formed in the 1990s through the merger of the Schools of Fine Arts, Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, and the University College.
School of Business
One of the original six academic 'Divisions' established in 1960, becoming a School upon the Edwardsville campus opening.
School of Dental Medicine
Established in 1969 and opened in 1972, serving regional dental education needs.
School of Education, Health and Human Behavior
Originally the School of Education, renamed in 2014 to better represent its expanded academic offerings.
School of Engineering
Evolved from an Engineering Department within the School of Science and Technology, elevated to School status in 1982.
Graduate School
Offers a wide array of postgraduate study programs.
School of Nursing
Established in 1964 and became a School upon the Edwardsville campus opening in 1965.
School of Pharmacy
The newest of SIUE's schools, which began classes in 2005.
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