Knox College is getting high marks from Forbes, both nationally and within Illinois, in the financial publication's 2017 "Grateful Graduates Index: Top 200 Best-Loved Colleges."

Based on the percentage of alumni who makes gifts to Knox, and the amount donated per student, Knox is ranked 57th nationally and third in Illinois, following the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.

Knox just completed another record-setting year for fundraising, with more than $3.8 million donated to the Knox Fund, which comprises annual operating gifts. In all, more than seven thousand alumni, parents and other donors contributed a total of $14.9 million to Knox in the fiscal year ending June 30.

"Great colleges produce happy and successful alumni—who give back in droves," writes Matt Schifrin, Forbes managing editor for investments, markets, and personal finance and author of the article about this year's rankings. "I consider this to be the core competency of excellent colleges," Schifrin wrote. "Financial support from a school's 'end product' is what helps to sustain great institutions in perpetuity and allow it to flourish academically."

"I continue to be inspired by the dedication of the Knox community, whose generosity helped us achieve another record-setting fundraising year," said Knox College President Teresa Amott, announcing the results of the 2016-2017 fiscal year. "Everyone at Knox is grateful for this outstanding support for the College and the community, shown by thousands of Knox alumni worldwide."