IWU vs. Knox College

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Knox College in Galesburg, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Knox College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,136 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Knox College is in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting).
• Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Knox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Knox College 11:1.

IWU vs. Knox College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IWU or Knox College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Knox College than IWU ($25,709 vs. $28,644).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Knox College are 19.8% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($10,728 vs. $13,370).
• Knox College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than IWU (about $199 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $57,704.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Knox College than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $199 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $57,704.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Knox College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Knox College students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($42,532 vs. $42,181).

IWU vs. Knox College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IWU or Knox College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Knox College and IWU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Knox College (1310) is 80 points higher than at IWU (1230).
• Incoming IWU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at Knox College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 1120/1340; Knox College 1180/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Wesleyan University 25/30; Knox College 21/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IWU - Test optional; Knox College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Knox College Jan 15, 2027.
• Knox College has a higher acceptance rate (70.8%) than IWU (39.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 11.5% at Knox College.

IWU vs. Knox College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IWU and Knox College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Illinois Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Knox College's (78%).
• Graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of about $17,400 more per year than Knox College graduates about ten years after starting college ($60,500 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Knox College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Knox College and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Knox College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.