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Knox College

#838 in US ranking Galesburg, IL
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$70,855
Tuition & fees
$60,051
Avg. aid
$45,474
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
71%
SAT range
1180–1440
ACT range
21–32

Outcomes

Graduation rate
68%
Median salary
$35,942
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Knox College?

Knox College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the college as a whole; it is distinct from any approval or accreditation that may apply to a particular professional program.

Accreditation matters because eligibility for federal student aid depends in part on attending an appropriately accredited institution. It can also matter when another college evaluates transfer credit, though accreditation does not require a receiving institution to accept every course. Students pursuing a licensed profession, particularly teaching, should separately check the relevant program's current approval and the licensing rules of the state where they expect to work.

What are the admission requirements at Knox College?

First-year admission to Knox is selective rather than open admission. Applicants generally submit an undergraduate application, a secondary-school record, and recommendations; college-preparatory coursework is part of the academic review. Applicants who completed a high school equivalency credential should confirm how to document it.

Knox considers academic performance and the broader application rather than relying on a published minimum GPA in the admissions figures. SAT and ACT scores are considered but are not required in those figures. Among enrolled first-time students who submitted scores, the median SAT composite was 1265 and the median ACT composite was 28; those medians are not admission cutoffs. About 29% submitted SAT scores, while 8% submitted ACT scores.

The reported admission rate was 71%, based on 3,468 offers of admission among 4,899 first-year applicants. That rate describes an applicant group, not an individual's likelihood of admission. International applicants should also review Knox's current English-proficiency instructions: the admissions reporting identifies TOEFL as required, but the admissions office's current policy should govern accepted tests and any exemptions. Applicants should check the current application for essay requirements, admission rounds, and deadlines before submitting.

What are the application fees and waivers at Knox College?

Knox has described its undergraduate application as free to submit. Applicants should confirm that the application route they choose still carries no charge before submission, particularly if they use a third-party application platform or apply under a distinct applicant category.

An application fee is different from an enrollment deposit requested after an offer of admission. If an application platform displays a charge, applicants should ask Knox admissions whether it is expected and whether a waiver applies rather than paying on the assumption that the charge is unavoidable.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Knox College?

Prospective students should not assume that Knox operates an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit on its campus. ROTC participation, if available through a nearby host institution or another approved arrangement, needs confirmation for the particular branch and academic term.

A student considering this route should ask Knox and the prospective host unit whether cross-enrollment is permitted, how travel and scheduling work, and whether ROTC courses count toward Knox requirements. ROTC scholarships and participation rules vary by branch; accepting certain benefits or advancing in a program can carry a military service obligation. Those terms should be reviewed with the branch before committing.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Knox College?

Knox admits transfer applicants and generally accepts eligible coursework from other accredited institutions. The admissions information identifies fall and winter as transfer entry terms. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of a particular course for a Knox requirement are separate decisions.

Transfer applicants should expect to provide records of their college work and to follow the current transfer application instructions for any required secondary-school record or recommendation. Knox has not established a minimum transfer GPA or credit threshold in the figures available here, so applicants should obtain the current rule directly from admissions rather than assuming that a general guideline is a guarantee of eligibility.

Before enrolling, ask for a written evaluation showing which credits transfer, which fulfill major or general education requirements, and how many must still be completed at Knox. This is especially important for students entering a sequenced major or hoping to finish within a particular number of terms. Applicants should also confirm the current deadline for their intended entry term.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Knox College?

Knox students can explore study abroad as part of an undergraduate degree, but the right option depends on academic requirements, program approval, and cost. Opportunities may include longer-term study and shorter programs arranged through the college or outside partners.

The distinction between a Knox-run program and an approved third-party program matters: calendars, tuition arrangements, housing, and the way credits appear on a transcript can differ. Students should seek academic approval before committing, especially if courses abroad must satisfy a major requirement. They should also request a program-specific financial aid estimate; aid that applies to a regular term at Knox may not cover every additional travel or program expense.

Knox College Admissions Factors

SAT range
1180–1440
4001600
ACT range
21–32
136
Acceptance rate
71%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
71%
Illinois
77%
US
78%

11% of admitted students enrolled (398 of 3,468)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Knox College Admissions

Applicants
Total: 4,899
Admission
Total: 3,468
Enrolled
Total: 398
Women
Men

How to Apply to Knox College

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Knox College First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 134
Out-of-state: 111
International: 150

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 398
Transfer: 35

Knox College Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1265

Median composite ACT score

28

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

8%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

29%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Considered but not required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Knox College Transfer Acceptance Rate

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Winter

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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