Knox College vs. St Olaf

Comparable Facts

Compare Knox College in Galesburg, IL with St Olaf College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St Olaf College is larger than Knox College based on total student enrollment (3,124 students vs. 1,136 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Knox College is located in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting); St Olaf College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Knox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Knox College 11:1; St Olaf College 11:1.

Knox College vs. St Olaf Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Knox College or St Olaf? 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 St Olaf ($25,709 vs. $26,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Knox College are 21.3% lower than at St Olaf College ($10,728 vs. $13,630).
• St Olaf College is 3.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Knox College (about $1,857 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $57,903.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at St Olaf than at Knox College (about $1,857 more per year; $59,760.00 vs. $57,903.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Knox College as at St Olaf College (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 6% larger than aid received by Knox College students ($45,098 vs. $42,532).

Knox College vs. St Olaf Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at St Olaf College (1390) is 80 points higher than at Knox College (1310).
• Incoming St Olaf students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at Knox College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 1180/1440; St Olaf College 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 21/32; St Olaf College 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Knox College - Test optional; St Olaf - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Knox College Jan 15, 2027; St Olaf Jan 15, 2027.
• Knox College has a higher acceptance rate (70.8%) than St Olaf (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Knox College vs. 26.8% at St Olaf.

Knox College vs. St Olaf Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Knox College and St Olaf? 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).

• St Olaf College's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Knox College's (78%).
• Graduates from St Olaf College earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Knox College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St Olaf College and Knox College graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, St Olaf College and Knox College graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Knox College students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.