Galesburg, IL · Private University
Is Knox College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$54,820
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$55,587
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$55,587
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$222,348
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
0.99x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
11.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
67.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$27,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$24,875
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Knox College graduates earn $9,820 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Knox College ranked by graduate earnings
16 graduates
22 graduates
18 graduates
33 graduates
27 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Knox College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Knox College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Economics: $59,038) and the lowest (Sociology and Anthropology: $26,350) is $32,688/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| EconomicsBest ROI | $59,038 | 1.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $41,160 | 0.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,881 | 0.7x |
| Biology, General | $38,488 | 0.7x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $28,561 | 0.5x |
| Sociology and AnthropologyLowest(1yr data) | $26,350 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knox College | 0.99x | $54,820 | Below Average |
| Kalamazoo College | 1.12x | $65,590 | Average ROI |
| Coe College | 1.09x | $57,125 | Average ROI |
| Luther College | 1.19x | $59,850 | Average ROI |
| Earlham College | 0.98x | $50,797 | Below Average |
| Saint Mary's College | 1.15x | $59,354 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Knox College carries higher costs relative to graduate earnings, warranting careful consideration. Graduates earn $54,820 10 years after starting — $9,820 above the national median of $45,000. At the current earnings trajectory, it takes approximately 11.2 years to recover the total cost of attendance.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.