Illinois vs. Knox College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is larger than Knox College based on total student enrollment (59,238 students vs. 1,136 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is located in Champaign, IL (Small City setting); Knox College is in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting).
• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Knox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 20:1; Knox College 11:1.

Illinois vs. Knox College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Illinois 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 University of Illinois Urbana Champaign than Knox College ($13,973 vs. $25,709).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Knox College are 26.1% lower than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ($10,728 vs. $14,522).
• Knox College is 261.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Illinois (about $41,899 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $16,004.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.9% higher at Knox College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (about $22,779 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $35,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Knox College than at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (100% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Knox College students is 120.4% larger than aid received by University of Illinois Urbana Champaign students ($42,532 vs. $19,299).

Illinois vs. Knox College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Illinois 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 Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (1420) is 110 points higher than at Knox College (1310).
• Incoming Illinois students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 26 at Knox College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 1310/1520; Knox College 1180/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Urbana Champaign 30/34; Knox College 21/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Illinois - Test optional; Knox College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Illinois Jan 5, 2027; Knox College Jan 15, 2027.
• Knox College has a higher acceptance rate (70.8%) than Illinois (42.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at Illinois vs. 11.5% at Knox College.

Illinois vs. Knox College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Illinois 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).

• University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than Knox College's (78%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign earn a median of about $23,400 more per year than Knox College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,500 vs. $43,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Knox College graduates ($20,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Illinois graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Knox College graduates ($211 vs. $279).
• More Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Knox College students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.