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90.7%Acceptance
$43,520Tuition
725Students
60%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$51,110Earnings
Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalLiberal ArtsNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24Presbyterian Church (USA)

About Monmouth College

Monmouth College builds its reputation on personal attention and teacher preparation in a small Illinois town. The Fighting Scots enroll just 725 students, creating the kind of environment where professors know your name and career goals. Nearly 80% of students come from Illinois, drawn to strong education programs that have sent graduates into classrooms across the Midwest for generations. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures you won't get lost in lecture halls.

Students pay an average net price of $18,034 after financial aid, making this private liberal arts education surprisingly affordable. Graduates earn a median of $51,110 ten years after starting college, while carrying typical debt of $27,000. The monthly loan payment of $286 represents a manageable burden given career outcomes. About 31% of students receive Pell Grants, and institutional grants average $34,351 for those who qualify.

The 90.7% acceptance rate welcomes students with mid-range test scores, though retention tells a different story at 69.6%. Nearly 60% graduate within six years, and 96.8% find employment after graduation. With 20 varsity sports and 386 total athletes competing in Division III, nearly half the campus participates in organized athletics. The Presbyterian heritage shapes campus culture without overwhelming it.

Academics & Faculty

Monmouth College delivers a classic liberal arts education that emphasizes broad intellectual exploration across disciplines. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name and provide individualized attention throughout their academic journey. The college has built a strong reputation for its teacher education program, preparing future educators with hands-on classroom experience. Students can choose from traditional liberal arts majors while developing critical thinking and communication skills valued by employers. The 58% four-year graduation rate reflects the supportive but rigorous academic environment. Many students pursue double majors or design interdisciplinary studies that combine multiple fields of interest.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
10:1
Full-Time Faculty
68.4%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
58.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
60.1%
Retention Rate
69.6%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$51,110
Carnegie Classification
Liberal Arts College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $36,560
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Bachelor $35,594
Health and Physical Education/Fitness. Bachelor $31,708
Psychology, General. Bachelor $29,685
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. Bachelor $28,960
Communication and Media Studies. Bachelor $27,497
History. Bachelor $25,194
English Language and Literature, General. Bachelor $23,351

View all 37 programs →

Campus Life

The 725 students at this Presbyterian-affiliated college experience small-town Midwest life in Monmouth, Illinois, about 180 miles from Chicago. Winter coats are essential as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February. With housing for over 1,000 students, most undergraduates live on the compact campus where the 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name.

The Fighting Scots compete in 20 NCAA Division III sports, and with 386 total athletes, more than half the student body participates in varsity athletics. Students often gather at campus events or venture to nearby Galesburg for dining and entertainment options. The college's strong teacher education program creates a collaborative academic culture where study groups are common. Weekend activities center around athletic events, Greek life, and campus programming. The 70% retention rate reflects students who appreciate the tight-knit community, though some find the rural setting limiting. Many students form lasting friendships in this environment where everyone recognizes familiar faces across the small campus.
Setting
Town-Distant
Housing Capacity
1,029 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available

Campus Safety (2023)

6 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Domestic Violence 1 1 0 0
Fondling 1 1 0 0
Stalking 1 1 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
13°–30°F
July Avg
62°–84°F
Annual Precipitation
77.9"
Annual Snowfall
24.9"

Student Demographics

The Fighting Scots draw primarily from Illinois, with nearly 80% of students calling the Prairie State home. This reflects Monmouth's strong regional reputation rather than national recognition. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves middle-class families seeking affordable liberal arts education. The slight male majority is unusual for a small liberal arts school and likely connects to Monmouth's historic strength in teacher education and business programs. Students typically come from small towns and suburbs, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other by name.
Men
52.1%
Women
47.9%
White
69.2%
Black
9.8%
Hispanic
11.9%
Asian
1.7%
In-State Students
79.8%
Pell Grant Recipients
30.9%

Location

Monmouth College sits in Monmouth, Illinois, a small town of about 9,000 people located 45 miles from the Quad Cities metro area. The campus occupies 112 acres in west-central Illinois farm country, where corn and soybean fields stretch to the horizon. This is classic Midwest small-town America, where the college serves as the community's cultural and economic center. With 79.83% of students coming from Illinois, most are familiar with the agricultural landscape and tight-knit atmosphere. The nearest major city, Chicago, lies about 200 miles northeast. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Monmouth College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Monmouth, Illinois 61462-1998
Construction of Wallace Hall, Monmouth College
Construction of Wallace Hall, Monmouth College
3 men in Monmouth College Chemistry Lab
3 men in Monmouth College Chemistry Lab
Center for Science and Business - Spring
Center for Science and Business - Spring

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$51,110
Median Earnings (5 years)
$49,373
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$34,500
Loan Repayment Rate
66.1%
Monthly Loan Payment
$286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Monmouth College?

Monmouth College accepts 90.7% of applicants, making it relatively accessible for most students. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1010-1210 on the SAT, reflecting the college's commitment to welcoming students with diverse academic backgrounds.

How much does Monmouth College cost after financial aid?

Despite a sticker price of $55,536, students pay an average net price of $18,034 after financial aid. The college provides institutional grants averaging $34,351 to about 25% of students, making this Presbyterian liberal arts education more affordable than the published tuition suggests.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Monmouth College?

Monmouth College maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio with only 725 total students. This small scale allows for personalized attention and close mentoring relationships, particularly benefiting students in the college's well-regarded teacher education program.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Monmouth College?

Graduates achieve a 96.8% employment rate and earn a median salary of $51,110 ten years after graduation. However, only 60.1% of students complete their degree within six years, and graduates typically carry $27,000 in student debt with monthly payments of $286.

Where is Monmouth College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Monmouth, Illinois, a small town setting that creates a tight-knit campus community. With housing capacity for 1,029 students serving just 725 enrolled, nearly all students can live on campus, fostering the close relationships this Presbyterian college is known for.

Does Monmouth College have strong athletic programs?

The Fighting Scots compete in NCAA Division III with 20 varsity sports and 386 total athletes. While they offer no athletic scholarships, over half the student body participates in athletics, reflecting the college's emphasis on well-rounded student development beyond academics.