Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Knox College

A debt load of $31,000 against estimated first-year earnings around $42,000 creates a manageable but hardly exciting financial foundation. Based on similar liberal arts programs across Illinois, Knox graduates likely face monthly loan payments of roughly $320—doable on this salary, but leaving little cushion for the unexpected expenses that come with launching into adulthood.

The comparison to other Illinois schools reveals the broader challenge with general liberal arts degrees. While Knox's estimated outcomes align with the state median, they fall far short of what DePaul and other Chicago-area programs achieve. The $42,000 figure isn't poverty wages, but it's modest compensation for four years of private college education. Knox's selectivity (SAT of 1250) and relatively low Pell enrollment suggest a student body that likely has alternatives worth considering.

The core question is whether Knox's liberal arts experience—the small classes, the writing-intensive curriculum, the close faculty relationships—justifies starting your career at what comparable Illinois programs typically produce rather than pursuing something more vocationally focused. If your child thrives in that environment and has clear post-graduation plans (teaching, graduate school, specific entry-level roles they've researched), the debt burden won't sink them. But if they're choosing liberal arts by default rather than conviction, these estimated outcomes suggest they should either add a marketable minor or look at public alternatives where the same uncertain career prospects come with significantly less debt.