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About Knox

Founded in 1837, Knox College is a renowned liberal arts college in Illinois with an historic mission to help students from all backgrounds develop the knowledge and skills to achieve professional success and become active and engaged global citizens.

Our Mission Academics

These doors have always been (and will always be) open.

Knox College was one of the first colleges in the United States to welcome all qualified students—regardless of race, gender, or financial means. A historic and renowned liberal arts college on the Illinois prairie, Knox is one of the 50 most diverse campuses in America.

Knox provides its students with an education that prepares them to be engaged, innovative, and productive global citizens, ready to lead lives of purpose and to work in fields that don't even exist yet. 

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Small School. Big Opportunities.

Thanks to small class sizes and plenty of courses of study, you'll have the opportunity to make close connections to your professors, classmates, and favorite subjects.

More Knox Facts
1,136

Students

11:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

16K+

Alumni in our network

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We Are Agents of Change.

Our students, faculty, and alumni are people who make things happen. Sometimes that’s choreographing and producing dance performances by talented amateurs (hello, Terpsichore). Other times, it’s pioneering a way to help undergrads experience the real-world challenges of starting a business (Startup Term). You may even find us creating the technologies that will take humans to Mars (Carol Craig ’99).

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A student in headphones sits in front of a laptop and takes notes on a pad of paper. A student works on a sculpture in the Whitcomb Art Center.

We Embrace. Then We Push.

Each of our nearly 1,200 students is wonderfully unlike any other. We make it easy here to ask questions, to disagree, to change your mind, or strengthen your original views. In return, we expect you to critically examine your assumptions through research, quantitative analysis, and interpretation.

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We Offer the Freedom to Flourish.

A college isn’t a factory. We’re not here to prepare students to perform to expectations. Every Knox education is necessarily unique, shaped by where your curiosity, passions, and talents lead you. We’re here to make sure you do your absolute best at whatever it is you want to do.

Knox Stories

Illustration of Old Main rooftop; golden rays emanate from the roof; text says Out-Raise the Roof.
Knox News

Knox Community Raises more than $1.7 Million in Celebration of College’s Founding

Knox College’s celebration of the 189th anniversary of its founding hit new heights. Thanks to a matching gift campaign—Out-Raise the Roof—the Knox community raised more than $1.7 million in February.

Venture Boldly

Knox’s first comprehensive campaign in more than 20 years, Venture Boldly draws inspiration from its history and strength from its community. This historic comprehensive campaign recommits the College to its mission with unparalleled innovation, focus, and urgency. Where others may see challenges too great to overcome, we see opportunity.

Venture Boldly

Where Would We Be Without Venturing Boldly?

For all those who came before and for the centuries ahead.

Watch Now
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Is Knox for you?

Contact us to find out more about our comprehensive majors, minors, and programs.

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