Knox College is again ranked among the best colleges in the nation for outstanding educational value. Knox is listed in the top 25 colleges in the "Great Schools, Great Prices" ranking, released this week by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine's annual "Best Colleges" rankings for 2018 were announced this week online and in the magazine's September issue.

Knox is ranked 25th among liberal arts colleges in the "Great Schools, Great Prices" category—a ranking that looks at both academic quality and cost of attendance. The magazine's editors write that "The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal." Only colleges that were in the top half of their overall classification were eligible for the educational value ranking.

"Knox is again the only liberal arts college in Illinois in this highly selective ranking of colleges," said Paul Steenis, dean of admission. "The 'Great Schools, Great Prices' ranking demonstrates that Knox is among the very best in the nation at making a top-notch liberal arts education accessible for students from all financial backgrounds."

In the overall National Liberal Arts classification, Knox is ranked 71st among 229 schools, rising six places compared to last year.

Knox is also ranked among the most ethnically diverse liberal arts colleges. A diversity index of .58 places Knox among the top schools where, according to U.S. News, "students are most likely to encounter undergraduates from a different ethnic group from their own."

With 14% of students from outside the U.S., Knox also is nationally ranked for international diversity. In its ranking, U.S. News states, "In a global culture, befriending and learning to collaborate with students from other countries can be rewarding personally and professionally."

"One of the most important elements of a Knox education is the preparation our students receive to be active, engaged global citizens," said Paul Steenis, dean of admission. "Learning and growing alongside others who will challenge us, inform us, and encourage us to consider other perspectives and points of view is key to that preparation."

Knox receives high marks from other major college ranking services. Washington Monthly and Forbes magazines looked at how colleges promote community and national service, and how they help graduates succeed in their careers.

Washington Monthly ranked Knox in the top 20 schools based on "what colleges do for their country."

Forbes gives Knox high marks in its most recent "Grateful Grads Index," which recognized the "Top 200 Best-Loved Colleges," based on the percentage of alumni who makes gifts to Knox, and the amount donated per student.

More Rankings:

• What Experts Say About Knox
• Washington Monthly Ranking
• Forbes "Grateful Grads" Index