IWU vs. Knox College

Illinois Wesleyan University and Knox College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Knox College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: IWU (39.3% admitted vs 70.8%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: Knox College. Average net price is $25,709 vs $28,644 at IWU.
  • Graduation: IWU 82% vs Knox College 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: IWU $60,500 vs Knox College $43,100 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Illinois Wesleyan University Knox College
Acceptance rate
IWU more selective
IWU39.3%
Knox College70.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Knox College higher
IWU1120-1340
Knox College1180-1440
Average net price
Knox College $2,935 less
IWU$28,644
Knox College$25,709
In-state tuition
IWU $199 less
IWU$57,704
Knox College$57,903
Out-of-state tuition
IWU $199 less
IWU$57,704
Knox College$57,903
Graduation rate
IWU +4 pts
IWU82%
Knox College78%
Median earnings (10 years)
IWU +$17,400
IWU$60,500
Knox College$43,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at IWU and Knox College with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at IWU Check my chances at Knox College
  • Applied
  • IWU 9,558
  • Knox College 4,899
  • Admitted
  • IWU 3,757
  • Knox College 3,468
  • Acceptance rate
  • IWU 39.3%
  • Knox College 70.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • IWU 12.3%
  • Knox College 11.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • IWU 1230
  • Knox College 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • IWU 27
  • Knox College 26
  • Average high school GPA
  • IWU 3.86
  • Knox College -
  • Typical high school grades
  • IWU A
  • Knox College -
  • Admissions standards
  • IWU Difficult
  • Knox College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • IWU High
  • Knox College Low
  • SAT range
  • IWU 1120-1340
  • Knox College 1180-1440
  • ACT range
  • IWU 25-30
  • Knox College 21-32
  • Submit test scores
  • IWU Test optional
  • Knox College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • IWU
  • Knox College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Knox College $57,903
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • IWU $57,704
  • Knox College $57,903
  • Room & board
  • IWU $13,370
  • Knox College $10,728
  • Average net price
  • IWU $28,644
  • Knox College $25,709
  • Average grant aid
  • IWU $42,181
  • Knox College $42,532
  • % receiving grant aid
  • IWU 100%
  • Knox College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • IWU 82%
  • Knox College 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • IWU $60,500
  • Knox College $43,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • IWU 87%
  • Knox College 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • IWU $27,000
  • Knox College $27,000
  • Median loan payment
  • IWU $279
  • Knox College $279
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • IWU 12:1
  • Knox College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • IWU
    • Business (20%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Knox College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
  • Location
  • IWU Bloomington, IL
  • Knox College Galesburg, IL
  • Setting
  • IWU Small City
  • Knox College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • IWU 1,582
  • Knox College 1,136
  • Type
  • IWU Private 4 Year
  • Knox College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • IWU #157
  • Knox College #303

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL with Knox College in Galesburg, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Illinois Wesleyan University is larger than Knox College based on total student enrollment (1,582 students vs. 1,136 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Illinois Wesleyan University is located in Bloomington, IL (Small City setting); Knox College is in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting).
  • Illinois Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Knox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Wesleyan University 12:1; Knox College 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Knox College are 19.8% lower than at Illinois Wesleyan University ($10,728 vs. $13,370).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Knox College than at Illinois Wesleyan University (about $199 more per year; $57,903 vs. $57,704).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Wesleyan University as at Knox College (100% vs. 100%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Knox College students is 0.8% larger than aid received by Illinois Wesleyan University students ($42,532 vs. $42,181).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at IWU than at Knox College (27 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both IWU and Knox College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Knox College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at IWU vs. 11.5% at Knox College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Knox College and IWU graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers in the federal data, Knox College and IWU graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
  • More IWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Knox College students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 74%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Illinois Wesleyan University
Knox College
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges