Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Established in 1869, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois. It is the oldest campus of the Southern Illinois University system. It is home to students from more than 100 countries. It was initially founded as Southern Illinois Normal College and was the second state-supported normal school in Illinois.

SIU Carbondale offers more than 200 undergraduate degrees, more than 80 master’s degrees, and more than 30 doctoral degrees. The library at the university provides access to 4 million volumes, 53,000 current periodicals and serials, and over 3.6 million microform units marking it among the top 50 largest research libraries in the United States. 

SIU also has more than 400 student clubs and organizations. The university has a student-run newspaper and a student security system. The Student Recreation Center of the university is the primary hub for intramural and fitness activities and is one of the largest among universities in the US. It features a pool and also houses areas for basketball, volleyball, racquetball, handball, squash, weightlifting, martial arts, aerobics, and programs for the disabled.  It has over 180 fitness stations and a health center.