“A nationally ranked liberal arts college where historic tradition and a richly diverse global community meet on the Illinois prairie.”
Knox College is a nationally ranked private liberal arts college founded in 1837 in Galesburg, Illinois — a historic city on the Illinois prairie known as the birthplace of poet Carl Sandburg and the site of the fifth Lincoln-Douglas debate held on the Knox campus in 1858. Operating on a distinctive quarter system that enables students to take more courses and dive deeper into subjects each year, Knox offers a highly immersive academic experience across 42 majors and 51 minors in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a culture of close mentorship, Knox students regularly co-author research papers with faculty and pursue independent projects that would be reserved for graduate students at larger institutions. Knox is home to a remarkable and rapidly growing international community. As of fall 2024, international students represent approximately 24 percent of the overall student body and more than one-third of the incoming class — an exceptional figure for a college of this size. This cosmopolitan campus culture is a defining feature of the Knox experience, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and global friendships in an intimate Midwestern setting. The college offers strong programs in Creative Writing (one of the few dedicated liberal arts creative writing programs in the country), Computer Science, Biology, History, Business Administration, Economics, and Political Science. Knox athletics compete at the NCAA Division III level as the Prairie Fire, with Blaze the fox as the official mascot. Knox's commitment to social mobility is reflected in consistent top-15 US News rankings for Social Mobility and a merit-generous approach to admissions. Merit scholarships of up to half the comprehensive annual fee are automatically considered for all incoming students. Galesburg provides a close-knit small-city community, while Chicago is just two hours away — giving Knox students access to a major metropolitan hub for internships, cultural life, and career opportunities.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Social Mobility
US News 2026
Top Performers on Social Mobility
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action I
Non-binding; decision by mid-December
Early Action II
Non-binding; decision by mid-January
Regular Decision
Rolling review continues after deadline
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$60,051
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Departments spanning English, creative writing, history, philosophy, religious studies, and world languages, emphasizing critical thinking and communication
Laboratory and field-based departments with a strong research culture and pre-health advising track
Departments in economics, political science, psychology, sociology, and education offering rigorous academic and applied study
Studio art, music, and theatre departments supporting creative expression and cultural inquiry
Applied programs connecting liberal arts foundations to professional and technological skills in an evolving job market
4 years
A distinguished program at one of the few liberal arts colleges with dedicated creative writing faculty; vibrant literary culture with regular visiting authors and the student-run literary magazine
4 years
Rigorous CS curriculum in a liberal arts environment combining technical depth with interdisciplinary breadth; qualifies for STEM OPT extension post-graduation
4 years
Research-intensive program with abundant undergraduate research opportunities and strong pre-med advising; faculty-mentored independent study from year one
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $57,903
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
