Quality Indicators
SIU Edwardsville has been shaping the future since 1957, offering quality undergraduate study and programming forged with a solid commitment to the economic development of Southwestern Illinois as well as to the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
The campus is situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful, forested woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River bottom land, only 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis.
SIUE is also one of the best higher education values in the Midwest, with the second-lowest in-state tuition rates of any public Illinois state college or university. And, our teacher-student ratio is excellent at 17 to 1.
As important as location, affordability, and teacher-student ratios, we are an institution with a clear purpose and a clear mission. There is ample evidence that we have achieved excellence in undergraduate education and that we are a premier metropolitan University:
- SIUE’s Senior Assignment Program has been heralded by the Association of American Colleges and Universities as a national model in the effectiveness of academic programs offered. For the past three years, U.S. News & World Report has named SIUE among America’s Best Colleges because of this assessment program, which engages students and enriches their academic experience.
- Just this year, U.S. News ranked SIUE 9th among public universities in the Midwest–Master’s category of the magazine's annual university rankings. Overall, in the Midwest Master’s category, SIUE was ranked 46th among private and public universities in its category, moving up nine positions from last year’s rankings.
- SIUE students interact with faculty at all levels, a critical factor in student success.
- The School of Engineering houses the Southwestern Illinois Advanced Manufacturing (SIAM) initiative, a partnership with the local high school and community college. It allows students to take advanced coursework early on and then transfer easily into the engineering industry.
- The School of Education’s curriculum is such that students can either choose to teach or go into professional positions. Over 40 percent of Education graduates go into non-teaching positions upon graduation.
- Ninety-four percent of our 2006 School of Education graduates reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of their teacher preparation program. In addition, 96 percent reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their interaction with the teacher preparation faculty.
- Biology and Chemistry graduates in the College of Arts and Sciences are regularly accepted and do well in medical and dental schools
- The School of Nursing uses the most sophisticated, state-of-the-art, simulated learning lab in the region, serving an enrollment of students that is at an all-time high.
- SIU School of Dental Medicine graduates consistently rank high among the nation’s 54 dental schools on national board exams.
- The SIUE East St. Louis Center serves as a national model for how universities can empower people and strengthen communities.
- More than $13 million in state, federal and private grants was allocated in 2006-07 to the East St. Louis Center for its programs.
In addition, the Carnegie Commission categorizes SIUE as primarily a residential campus. We provide student life activities comparable to many larger universities.
