Knox College vs. Wisconsin

Deciding between Knox College and University of Wisconsin Madison? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Knox College
University of Wisconsin Madison

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Knox College Galesburg, IL
  • Wisconsin Madison, WI
  • Setting
  • Knox College Distant Town
  • Wisconsin Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Knox College 1,136
  • Wisconsin 51,044
  • Type
  • Knox College Private 4 Year
  • Wisconsin Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Knox College #303
  • Wisconsin #109
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Knox College -
  • Wisconsin -
  • Status
  • Knox College Non-profit
  • Wisconsin Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Knox College
  • Wisconsin
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Knox College $57,903
  • Wisconsin $11,603
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Knox College $57,903
  • Wisconsin $42,103
  • Room & Board
  • Knox College $10,728
  • Wisconsin $14,124
  • Average Net Price
  • Knox College $25,709
  • Wisconsin $14,235
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Knox College $42,532
  • Wisconsin $17,741
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Knox College 100%
  • Wisconsin 35%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Knox College 4,899
  • Wisconsin 65,894
  • Admitted
  • Knox College 3,468
  • Wisconsin 29,782
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Knox College 70.8%
  • Wisconsin 45.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Knox College 11.5%
  • Wisconsin 28.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Knox College 1310
  • Wisconsin 1450
  • Typical ACT score
  • Knox College 26
  • Wisconsin 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • Knox College -
  • Wisconsin 3.88
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Knox College -
  • Wisconsin A
  • Admissions Standards
  • Knox College Very High
  • Wisconsin Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • Knox College Low
  • Wisconsin Low
  • ACT Range
  • Knox College 21/32
  • Wisconsin 29/33
  • SAT Range
  • Knox College 1180/1440
  • Wisconsin 1380/1520
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Knox College Test optional
  • Wisconsin Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Knox College Jan 15, 2027
  • Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Knox College 11:1
  • Wisconsin 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Knox College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
  • Wisconsin
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Communication (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Knox College 78%
  • Wisconsin 82%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Knox College $43,100
  • Wisconsin $64,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Knox College 74%
  • Wisconsin 84%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Knox College $27,000
  • Wisconsin $22,250
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Knox College $279
  • Wisconsin $230
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Knox College 50%
  • Wisconsin 47%
  • % Women
  • Knox College 50%
  • Wisconsin 53%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Knox College High
  • Wisconsin Low
  • HBCU
  • Knox College No
  • Wisconsin No
  • % White
  • Knox College 52%
  • Wisconsin 76%
  • % Asian
  • Knox College 6%
  • Wisconsin 6%
  • % Black
  • Knox College 8%
  • Wisconsin 2%
  • % Hispanic
  • Knox College 14%
  • Wisconsin 5%
  • % Native American
  • Knox College 0%
  • Wisconsin 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Knox College 0%
  • Wisconsin 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Knox College 4%
  • Wisconsin 3%
  • % International
  • Knox College 12%
  • Wisconsin 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Knox College 4%
  • Wisconsin 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Knox College 34%
  • Wisconsin 45%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Knox College 28%
  • Wisconsin 46%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Knox College Yes
  • Wisconsin Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Knox College No
  • Wisconsin No
  • Meal Plan
  • Knox College Yes
  • Wisconsin Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Knox College No
  • Wisconsin No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Knox College No
  • Wisconsin Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Knox College in Galesburg, IL with University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than Knox College based on total student enrollment (51,044 students vs. 1,136 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Knox College is located in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting); University of Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
  • Knox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Knox College 11:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

Knox College vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Knox College or Wisconsin? 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 University of Wisconsin Madison than Knox College ($14,235 vs. $25,709).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Knox College are 24% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($10,728 vs. $14,124).
  • Knox College is 399% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wisconsin (about $46,300 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $11,603.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at Knox College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (about $15,800 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $42,103.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Knox College than at University of Wisconsin Madison (100% vs. 35%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Knox College students is 139.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($42,532 vs. $17,741).

Knox College vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Wisconsin Madison (1450) is 140 points higher than at Knox College (1310).
  • Incoming Wisconsin students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 26 at Knox College).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 1180/1440; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 21/32; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Knox College - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Knox College Jan 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
  • Knox College has a higher acceptance rate (70.8%) than Wisconsin (45.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Knox College vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

Knox College vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • University of Wisconsin Madison's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Knox College's (78%).
  • Graduates from University of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $21,700 more per year than Knox College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Madison graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Knox College graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Wisconsin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Knox College graduates ($230 vs. $279).
  • More Wisconsin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Knox College students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.