Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 71.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 67.5%
- Retention Rate
- 79.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $54,820
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $27,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 76.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $286/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $67,660 | $25,896 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $44,942 | $24,498 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $34,704 | $27,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $29,250 | |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $27,439 | |
| Social Sciences, Other. | Bachelor | $26,739 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $22,578 | $25,553 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $21,964 | $26,970 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $21,052 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $20,928 | $26,000 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Bachelor | $20,530 | $26,394 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. | Bachelor | $20,140 | |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $19,794 |
Outcomes Overview
Knox graduates earn a median of $54,820 ten years after graduation, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 with typical debt loads of $27,000. Monthly loan payments of $286 consume about 6.3% of gross income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The college's strong liberal arts foundation opens doors to careers in writing, education, nonprofit work, and business. Knox's 90.8% employment rate reflects solid career outcomes despite the rural Illinois location. Alumni like Carl Sandburg demonstrate the school's literary legacy, though graduates often need time to build earning power in creative fields. With reasonable debt levels and diverse career paths, Knox offers an average return on investment for students committed to liberal arts education.