Knox College
- Graduation Rate
- 68% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,820 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $24,595 D
- 44% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 71% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $19.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,783,726.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 34% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Knox College Matters
Knox College is a private liberal arts college in Galesburg, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,127
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, Education, English & Literature
Why students choose Knox College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 71% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1180–1440. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $24,595 a year after grants and scholarships — 44% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,820 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 72% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.64 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Knox College has a graduation rate of 68%, which is above the national average for private colleges. This statistic indicates a solid commitment to student retention and success. With a diverse enrollment of 1,127 students, Knox fosters a close-knit academic community that supports individual growth.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Knox College, but the economic outcomes for graduates tell part of the story. Graduates earn a median salary of $54,820 ten years after enrollment, suggesting that students can expect a decent return on their educational investment. While specific mobility rates are not provided, the school’s supportive environment can be a key factor for students from varied backgrounds.
Knox College has a net price of $24,595 and a median debt of $27,000, making it essential for students to consider their financial commitments. Those who thrive here often pursue degrees in Computer Science, Business, Biology, Education, and Social Sciences. The college attracts students who value personalized attention and a liberal arts education in a vibrant Midwestern setting.
Rankings
- #12 Best Biology Colleges in Illinois
- #20 Best Computer Science Colleges in Illinois
- #20 Best Data Science Colleges in Illinois
- #22 Best Education Colleges in Illinois
- #25 Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois
- #25 Best Master's Programs in Illinois
- #28 Best Colleges in Illinois
- #29 Best Psychology Colleges in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Knox College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Knox College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Knox College, located in Galesburg, Illinois, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,326. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1326
- ACT Midpoint
- 28
- SAT Range
- 1180–1440
- ACT Range
- 21–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 72%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,221
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 9:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.72
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 2,987
- Admitted
- 2,190
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Knox College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Knox College is $57,903, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,595. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,134 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $57,903
- Out-of-State
- $57,903
- Avg Net Price
- $24,595
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 31%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 67%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,134
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,363
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $23,844
- Family Income $110K+
- $31,983
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Knox College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Knox College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Knox College earn a median of $54,820, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,757
- 8 Years
- $44,671
- 10 Years
- $54,820
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.49x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (221)
- 61%
- 100% (221)
- 61%
- 100% (221)
- 61%
- 100% (221)
- 61%
How Knox Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Knox College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Knox College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $24,595/year ($98,380 total). Graduates earn $54,820 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,882,106 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,783,726 (19.1× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 68% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $98,380
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,882,106
- Net Return
- $1,783,726
- ROI Multiple
- 19.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $24,595
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Knox College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Knox College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.08%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $99,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.08%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 25.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $135,729
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,124,646
- Investment Income
- $-26,050,932
Top Programs
The fields Knox College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Biology & Biomedical 12% $26,097 early-career
- Social Sciences 12% $53,400 early-career
- Education 10% $41,235 early-career
- English & Literature 9% $24,394 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 9% $32,603 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $80,393 early-career
- Business & Marketing 8%
- Psychology 7% $25,014 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Knox College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Knox College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Knox College, located in Galesburg, Illinois, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 71%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,326. The graduation rate is roughly 68%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Knox College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Knox College is $57,903, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $24,595. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,134 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Knox College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Knox College earn a median of $54,820, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Knox College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Knox College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.08%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 4.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 25.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $99,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Knox College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Knox College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 19% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Knox College.
- Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY · Close peer65% grad $55,031 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Cornell CollegeMount Vernon, IA · Close peer67% grad $53,460 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Franklin CollegeFranklin, IN · Close peer62% grad $55,376 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Central CollegePella, IA · Close peer68% grad $54,317 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Alma CollegeAlma, MI · Close peer63% grad $54,742 earn 57% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Meredith CollegeRaleigh, NC · Close peer68% grad $51,539 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Knox College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Knox College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 19% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note