Knox College
Knox College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Knox College at a Glance
Knox College is a private liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1837 by anti-slavery advocates and has ties to the Underground Railroad movement. With over 1,100 students enrolled representing 43 states and 56 countries, Knox College offers 99 majors and minors.
1837
189 years old
$177M
$176.6 million (2025)
1,108
99
82 acres
Identity
Is Knox College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Knox College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $54,820 — 2% above average — while paying $24,595/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Knox College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Knox College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #27 of 111 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #2 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #3 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #4 | Fresno Pacific University | 57 | $13,630 | $58,896 |
| #5 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #6 | University of Evansville | 49 | $18,499 | $53,770 |
| #27 | Knox College | 38 | $24,595 | $54,820 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Knox College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in IL.
Best Programs at Knox College
The highest-earning program at Knox College is Economics at $33,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is International Relations and National Security Studies at $18,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Economics graduate from Knox College earns $33,100, while a International Relations and National Security Studies graduate earns $18,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $24,595/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | $33,100 | $33,100 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,600 | $31,600 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $24,900 | $24,900 | $27,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $19,100 | $19,100 | $27,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $18,300 | $18,300 | N/A |
Similar Colleges in IL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Galesburg, IL
- Student Body
- 1,127 students
- Admission Rate
- 71%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $24,595
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,820
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000