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Old Main Knox CollegePhoto: Jimmy Thomas · CC BY-SA 2.0
Colleges in and near Galesburg

Galesburg is home to two colleges, with 2,194 students on campus

Carl Sandburg College (1,193 students on campus) and Knox College (1,001) are inside the city. About 8% of Galesburg’s residents are enrolled in college, above Illinois (6%).

Knox CollegeCarl Sandburg College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Galesburg. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
2,921 students on campus
Nearest college
0.5 mi
Knox College
Residents in college
8%
Above IL (6%)
Nearest community college
2.7 mi
Carl Sandburg College · $5,390 tuition
Nearest public university
37.1 mi
Western Illinois University · $15,264 in-state
Median household income
$48K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Galesburg

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Two colleges within 2.7 milesKnox College admits 71% of applicants. Together they have 2,194 students on campus.A community college 2.7 miles awayCarl Sandburg College in Galesburg: tuition and fees $5,390 a year for Illinois residents.In-state price at Western Illinois UniversityLiving in Illinois, Western Illinois University charges $15,264 in tuition and fees, the same for every student.Students are 8% of residentsAbove Illinois (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Galesburg

Two private colleges within 13.8 miles, and Carl Sandburg College 2.7 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Western Illinois University, is 37.1 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miCarl Sandburg CollegeKnox CollegeMonmouth CollegeGalesburg
University or collegeCommunity college
Knox CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,001 on campus · In Galesburg71%admitted$25knet price68%graduate$55kearningsCarl Sandburg CollegeCommunity college · Public · 1,193 on campus · In Galesburg$4knet price50%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $5,390 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Monmouth CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 727 on campus · 13.8 mi · Monmouth91%admitted$17knet price65%graduate$51kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Galesburg’s median household income ($48,297) falls.

Carl Sandburg CollegeIn Galesburg · sticker $11,563 · tuition $5,390$5,074a year
Western Illinois University37.1 mi · Macomb · sticker $28,254$12,062a year
Monmouth College13.8 mi · Monmouth · sticker $57,157$14,782a year
Knox CollegeIn Galesburg · sticker $68,134$23,844a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Knox CollegeCarl Sandburg CollegeWestern Illinois University
Western Illinois University45% graduate$54k earnings$25k typical debt
Carl Sandburg College50% graduate$35k earnings$5k typical debt
Knox College68% graduate$55k earnings$27k typical debt
Monmouth College65% graduate$51k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Galesburg

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Galesburg’s 2 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 30%Health professions 11%Biology 6%Social sciences 6%Computer science 6%Education 5%Everything else 36%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesCarl Sandburg College · 172 graduates a year
$40k4 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied ProfessionsCarl Sandburg College · 27 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCarl Sandburg College · 27 graduates a year
$77k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralKnox College · 22 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesKnox College · 20 graduates a year
$39k4 yrs out
EconomicsKnox College · 19 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsKnox College · 17 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Sociology and AnthropologyKnox College · 17 graduates a year
$45k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Galesburg

Is Galesburg a college town?

No. About 8 of every 100 Galesburg residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Illinois (6). The largest campus in the city, Carl Sandburg College, has 1,193 students on campus.

What colleges are in Galesburg?

Carl Sandburg College and Knox College are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Galesburg, and what does it cost?

Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, 2.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,390 a year for Illinois residents; the federal net price, $3,662, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Western Illinois University cost if we live in Illinois?

Tuition and fees are $15,264 a year in-state and $15,264 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,941 (under $30,000 income) to $19,701 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Galesburg. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →