Knox College vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than Knox College based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,136 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Knox College is located in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• Knox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Knox College 11:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Knox College vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Knox College or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern ($25,709 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Knox College are 49.2% lower than at Northwestern University ($10,728 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than Knox College (about $10,419 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $57,903.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18% higher at Northwestern than at Knox College (about $10,419 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $57,903.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Knox College than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 51.5% larger than aid received by Knox College students ($64,429 vs. $42,532).

Knox College vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Knox College or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern and Knox College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 230 points higher than at Knox College (1310).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at Knox College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 1180/1440; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 21/32; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Knox College - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Knox College Jan 15, 2027; Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Knox College has a higher acceptance rate (70.8%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Knox College vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Knox College vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Knox College and Northwestern? 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Knox College's (78%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $46,700 more per year than Knox College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than Knox College graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Knox College graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern 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.