Southern Illinois University Carbondale has officially entered the ranks of the top research universities in the nation. In February, it was formally designated Research 1 (R1) in the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education.
The prestigious designation by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching means SIU Carbondale is in the same league as elite private and flagship universities across the country. Less than 5 percent of the nearly 4,000 classified institutions are designated R1, which denotes "Very High Spending and Doctorate Production."
Chancellor Austin Lane said it is a milestone for all Salukis to celebrate. Becoming an R1 school was an objective in the university's Imagine 2030 strategic plan under its research and innovation pillar.
"The R1 designation affirms what we already know -- SIU Carbondale is among the top research universities in the country," Lane said. "As the only R1 in rural Illinois and within 100 miles, we are uniquely positioned as a powerhouse for innovation in this region. Our faculty and staff imagined earning this designation, and they worked tirelessly to get us to achieve it. I want to thank them personally for all they've done to make this day possible, and I am especially grateful for our talented, hard-working faculty."
With its new designation under Carnegie's revised criteria, SIU Carbondale is one of just six R1 universities in the state of Illinois, along with Loyola, Northwestern, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and U of I Chicago.
"SIU Carbondale has excellent research facilities, well-funded research centers, and outstanding faculty guiding graduate students toward master's and doctoral degrees."
Costas Tsatsoulis, SIU Vice Chancellor for Research
Costas Tsatsoulis, vice chancellor for research, said the new R1 designation highlights the university’s status as a comprehensive doctoral research university, which includes the SIU School of Medicine campus in Springfield.
“Our research, scholarship, and innovation include disciplines in STEM, in the arts, the humanities, law, medicine, business, education, agriculture, social sciences and more,” Tsatsoulis said. “We cover from A to Z, from accounting to zoology, from photography to photosynthesis, and from aquaculture to forestry to quantum physics.
“Our elevation to R1 bolsters our efforts toward securing research funding, continuing to recruit high-quality faculty and students, and further supports the vision of Imagine 2030.”
How the Designations Work
Carnegie maintains and releases reports on universities meeting research and doctoral production benchmarks every three years. R1 universities must have at least 70 research doctorates and $50 million in research expenditures. In 2023, for example, SIU Carbondale had 102 research doctorates and $58.3 million in research expenditures.
“Becoming R1 enhances our global reputation as a university with a wide variety of research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students,” Tsatsoulis said. “SIU Carbondale has excellent research facilities, well-funded research centers and outstanding faculty guiding graduate students toward master’s and doctoral degrees."
The R1 designation verifies SIU Carbondale faculty conduct research at a very high level, enhancing the classroom experience at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Faculty, students and staff on the Carbondale campus and the School of Medicine campus in Springfield have played a pivotal role in the university attaining R1 status, and they will continue to play a key part in maintaining SIU Carbondale’s designation, Tsatsoulis said.
“Our faculty will continue to lead SIU Carbondale through their research grants, contracts, partnerships with industry and the state, through collaborations across the nation and world, and through excellence in their disciplines, and training and mentoring of students,” Tsatsoulis said.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Higher Education is the gold standard when it comes to university designations. One of the most important classifications pertains to research.
R1 universities, on average, spend $50 million on research and awards at least 70 research doctorates per year.
research dollars spent
In the 2023-24 academic year, for example, SIU Carbondale spent $61.4 million on research.
doctoral degrees awarded
In the same period, SIU Carbondale awarded 102 doctoral degrees related to research.
Another Reason for Saluki Pride
As the old saying goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats," the university's R1 designation is more than just a boon for new and incoming students. It increases the stock of the degrees alumni achieved at SIU.
"When Salukis put SIU Carbondale on their resumes, they tell employers that they received their education at a school in the same league as flagship universities and elite private institutions throughout the country," Chancellor Lane said.
"We encourage alumni to share this news with their friends, colleagues, and prospective students—and let them know our new classification puts us in the top tier of doctoral research universities. Less than 5 percent, or 187, of the nearly 4,000 classified institutions are designated R1, and we are one of only three public R1 universities in Illinois. Tell people you meet about your experience here. And let them know some things haven’t changed: our commitment to access and unique research opportunities for undergraduates."
Learn more about the caliber of research that's propelled SIU Carbondale to the big leagues.