What Experts Say About Knox

1. We're academically excellent.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Knox #75 among 211 national liberal arts colleges. Knox was also selected to be part of The Princeton Review’s 2024 edition of The Best 388 Colleges, as well as one of the Best Midwestern Regional Colleges. The 2019 Fiske Guide to Colleges featured Knox as one of the 300 best colleges in the United States, Great Britain, and Canada.

2. We're a college that changes lives.

Knox has been included in every edition of Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges since the groundbreaking book was first published in 1996. We're also a proud member of the Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) non-profit organization; which promotes a student-centered approach to the college search process.

3. We're committed to service.

Washington Monthly agrees, ranking Knox #45 among more than 200 national liberal arts colleges for its contributions to the public good, as well as the number one liberal arts college in Illinois. This is the twelfth year in a row that Knox has appeared in the top 50 of this national ranking.

4. We're a best-value school.

That's according to U.S. News and World Report, which ranked Knox #25 among colleges with top reputations for both academic excellence and affordability. Washington Monthly named Knox a top midwestern "Best Bang for the Buck" college in the magazine's College Guide and Rankings. Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine selected Knox as a "Best College Value".

5. Our grads are grateful.

Forbes magazine ranked Knox second in Illinois and 45th in the nation among 200 private colleges and universities for the success of graduates and the support they give back to their colleges—known as a "Grateful Graduates Index." 

6. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to us.

U.S. News and World Report gave Knox high scores for ethnic diversity and international diversity. In addition, Knox was included on the 2022-2023 Campus Ethnic Diversity Index—a web-exclusive list of 64 colleges. The Princeton Review's survey of Knox students concluded that Knox is one of the 25 most diverse liberal arts colleges. Knox College is also included on the National Listing of LGBTQ-Friendly Colleges & Universities on the National Campus Pride Index, and College Raptor includes Knox on its 2024 list of Colleges with the most Ethnic Diversity. 

7. We're a green college (and a cool school!).

Knox has been listed on the Sierra Club's "Cool School Rankings" for 13 consecutive years, thanks to our commitment to renewable energy, reduced food waste, and expanded co-curricular programs that focus on sustainability. Our commitment to sustainability also led to our being named one of 455 "Green Colleges" in 2024 by The Princeton Review.

8. We contribute to the public good.

Knox is ranked #45 among more than 200 national liberal arts colleges by Washington Monthly for our contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and promoting public service, as well as second among liberal arts colleges in AmeriCorps/Peace Corps service. This is the twelfth year in a row that Knox has appeared in the top 50 of this national ranking. Knox was also ranked top 25 liberal arts colleges in the nation for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report.

9. We're a "Hidden Gem."

Online higher education source College Gazette called out Knox as a "Hidden Gem" liberal arts college, noting our commitment to funding student research, like the $2,000 Power of Experience Grant.