At $24,875/yr net price, Knox College graduates earn $54,820/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $20,820/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,875 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $99,500 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,820/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$20,820/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 67.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,705/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,006/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,692/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,078/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,717/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
67.5% of students at Knox College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 33% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Knox College gives you a mixed financial return. Median earnings ten years out land moderately above typical debt, and with a 67.5% graduation rate and 80% retention, most of you finish and start paying it down. But the spread between programs is wide enough that your major decides whether this school pays off.
Computer science is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $23,000 more per year than economics, the second-highest earner, while carrying similar debt. If you come to Knox for CS, the math works cleanly. Economics sits in the middle and still clears the median debt load. The rest of the top-earning programs do not. Teacher education, romance languages, and drama all pay under $35,000 a year, and teacher education carries the highest debt on the list at $27,000. Those three leave you earning less than the school-wide median while owing as much or more.
The specific risk at Knox is that its strongest-paying fields are narrow. Outside CS, the highest-earning majors here still land you below the median. Galesburg is a small Illinois town without a large local job market, so lower-paying majors like languages and theatre may push you to relocate for work that still pays modestly.
The net price tiers are worth watching closely. If your family earns under $30k, you pay the least at Knox. But the $30-48k tier pays more than the $48-75k tier, so a raise into the lower-middle band can cost you more, not less. Above $75k, price jumps past $30k a year with little further increase past $110k.
Knox is a good fit if you're set on computer science or can pay from the lower-income tiers. If you want theatre, languages, or teaching and would take on full debt, look hard at the earnings first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knox College worth the cost for most students?
Knox College graduates earn a median of $54,820 after 10 years, which is modest given the $24,875 annual net price. With a 67.5% graduation rate and $27,000 in typical debt, the return on investment is mixed and depends heavily on your major.
What are the best paying majors at Knox College?
Computer Science graduates from Knox College earn around $67,660, making it the clear financial winner. Economics majors earn $44,942, while education majors typically earn $34,704.
How much debt do Knox College graduates typically have?
Knox College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000, which is manageable for computer science and economics majors but creates financial stress for lower-paying fields like theater arts ($27,439 median earnings).
Does Knox College have a good graduation rate for the investment?
Knox College's 67.5% graduation rate means about one in three students don't finish their degree. For a school with a $24,875 annual net price, this completion rate adds significant financial risk.