Knox College vs. College of the Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare Knox College in Galesburg, IL with College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Knox College is larger than College of the Atlantic based on total student enrollment (1,136 students vs. 358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Knox College is located in Galesburg, IL (Distant Town setting); College of the Atlantic is in Bar Harbor, ME (Rural Fringe setting).
• Knox College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of the Atlantic is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Knox College 11:1; College of the Atlantic 9:1.

Knox College vs. College of the Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Knox College or College of the Atlantic? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of the Atlantic than Knox College ($21,829 vs. $25,709).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Atlantic are 3% lower than at Knox College ($10,404 vs. $10,728).
• Knox College is 20.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Atlantic (about $9,906 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.6% higher at Knox College than at College of the Atlantic (about $9,906 more per year; $57,903.00 vs. $47,997.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Knox College as at College of the Atlantic (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Knox College students is 16.7% larger than aid received by College of the Atlantic students ($42,532 vs. $36,437).

Knox College vs. College of the Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Knox College or College of the Atlantic? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between College of the Atlantic and Knox College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of the Atlantic (1340) is 30 points higher than at Knox College (1310).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 1180/1440; College of the Atlantic 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Knox College 21/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Knox College - Test optional; College of the Atlantic - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Knox College Jan 15, 2027; College of the Atlantic Feb 1, 2027.
• Knox College has a higher acceptance rate (70.8%) than College of the Atlantic (70.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.5% at Knox College vs. 23.4% at College of the Atlantic.

Knox College vs. College of the Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Knox College and College of the Atlantic? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Knox College's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than College of the Atlantic's (71%).
• Graduates from Knox College earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than College of the Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,100 vs. $28,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Knox College graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, College of the Atlantic graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Knox College graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More College of the Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Knox College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.