Knox College vs. Carleton College

Knox College and Carleton College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Knox College
Carleton College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Carleton College (20.4% admitted vs 70.8%). Typical SAT 1510 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: Knox College. Average net price is $25,709 vs $28,047 at Carleton College.
  • Graduation: Knox College 78% vs Carleton College 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Knox College $43,100 vs Carleton College $65,600 (median).
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Key differences

Knox College Carleton College
Acceptance rate
Carleton College more selective
Knox College70.8%
Carleton College20.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Carleton College higher
Knox College1180-1440
Carleton College1450-1560
Average net price
Knox College $2,338 less
Knox College$25,709
Carleton College$28,047
In-state tuition
Knox College $10,989 less
Knox College$57,903
Carleton College$68,892
Out-of-state tuition
Knox College $10,989 less
Knox College$57,903
Carleton College$68,892
Graduation rate
Carleton College +15 pts
Knox College78%
Carleton College93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carleton College +$22,500
Knox College$43,100
Carleton College$65,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Knox College 4,899
  • Carleton College 7,133
  • Admitted
  • Knox College 3,468
  • Carleton College 1,456
  • Acceptance rate
  • Knox College 70.8%
  • Carleton College 20.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Knox College 11.5%
  • Carleton College 34.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Knox College 1310
  • Carleton College 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • Knox College 26
  • Carleton College 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Knox College -
  • Carleton College 3.9
  • Typical high school grades
  • Knox College -
  • Carleton College A
  • Admissions standards
  • Knox College Very High
  • Carleton College Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Knox College Low
  • Carleton College Very High
  • SAT range
  • Knox College 1180-1440
  • Carleton College 1450-1560
  • ACT range
  • Knox College 21-32
  • Carleton College 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Knox College Test optional
  • Carleton College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Knox College Jan 15, 2027
  • Carleton College Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Knox College $57,903
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Knox College $57,903
  • Carleton College $68,892
  • Room & board
  • Knox College $10,728
  • Carleton College $17,586
  • Average net price
  • Knox College $25,709
  • Carleton College $28,047
  • Average grant aid
  • Knox College $42,532
  • Carleton College $56,846
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Knox College 100%
  • Carleton College 59%
  • Graduation rate
  • Knox College 78%
  • Carleton College 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Knox College $43,100
  • Carleton College $65,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Knox College 74%
  • Carleton College 92%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Knox College $27,000
  • Carleton College $19,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Knox College $279
  • Carleton College $201
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Knox College 11:1
  • Carleton College 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • Knox College
    • Social Sciences (22%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Foreign Languages (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
  • Carleton College
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Physical Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
  • Location
  • Knox College Galesburg, IL
  • Carleton College Northfield, MN
  • Setting
  • Knox College Distant Town
  • Carleton College Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Knox College 1,136
  • Carleton College 2,128
  • Type
  • Knox College Private 4 Year
  • Carleton College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Knox College #303
  • Carleton College #44

Comparable Facts

Compare Knox College in Galesburg, IL with Carleton College in Northfield, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carleton College is larger than Knox College based on total student enrollment (2,128 students vs. 1,136 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Knox College is located in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting); Carleton College is in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting).
  • Knox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Knox College 11:1; Carleton College 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Knox College are 39% lower than at Carleton College ($10,728 vs. $17,586).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19% higher at Carleton College than at Knox College (about $10,989 more per year; $68,892 vs. $57,903).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Knox College than at Carleton College (100% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 33.7% larger than aid received by Knox College students ($56,846 vs. $42,532).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Carleton College than at Knox College (33 vs. 26, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Knox College and Carleton College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Knox College Jan 15, 2027; Carleton College Jan 15, 2027.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Knox College vs. 34.8% at Carleton College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Knox College graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Knox College graduates ($201 vs. $279).
  • More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Knox College students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 74%).

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

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