Acceptance Rate
91%
Avg. SAT
1210
75th percentile
“Tiny liberal arts college in rural Illinois where Scottish heritage shapes a close community of future teachers and leaders.”
Monmouth, IL
Location
Town
Campus Setting
Monmouth College traces its roots to 1853, when Cumberland Presbyterians established it amid western Illinois prairies to educate ministers and lay leaders. The town's Scottish settlers infused the school with Highland traditions, from the Fighting Scots mascot to bagpipe performances that still mark campus events. You'll thrive here if you seek personal connections with professors and classmates in a place where everyone knows your name, but the remote location demands self-starters who embrace small-town rhythms over city buzz.
Nestled in Monmouth, a town of about 9,000 ringed by cornfields and two hours from Chicago or St. Louis, the campus feels like a self-contained village of brick halls and green quads. Professors often live nearby, blurring lines between class and casual chats. Tradeoffs include limited off-campus entertainment and Midwest winters that keep you indoors more than you'd like.
Photo Gallery
+12
+4
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Classes average around 15 students, letting you debate ideas directly with faculty who prioritize discussion over lectures. Standout programs in education, business, and biology draw students into hands-on projects like student-teaching placements or lab research on local ecosystems. You'll find undergrads presenting at conferences early, thanks to a curriculum that weaves liberal arts with practical skills.
Core requirements span humanities to sciences, building versatile thinkers, though popular majors like education fill up fast for upper-level spots. Large research universities offer more specialized labs, but here faculty mentor you one-on-one from day one.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
713 undergrad • 0 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
69%
Black / African American
10%
Hispanic / Latino
12%
Asian
2%
Other / Multi-racial
8%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Monmouth, IL
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Over 90 percent of students live on campus in residence halls that mix freshmen with upperclassmen, fostering quick friendships over late-night study sessions or pickup games. Weekends bring Scottish Country Dancers practicing reels, intramural sports, or trips to the nearby Mississippi River for kayaking. The social scene centers on low-key events like coffeehouse open mics rather than massive parties.
Traditions include the annual Homecoming parade with bagpipers and a bonfire, knitting the community tight. Harsh winters and rural isolation mean cabin fever can set in, but the town's affordability and safety let you focus on campus life without big-city distractions.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Midwest Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
No
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$13,298
$30K – $48K
$13,234
$48K – $75K
$16,336
$75K – $110K
$18,025
$110K+
$21,539
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
74%
4 Years Graduation Rate
64%
6 Years Graduation Rate
67%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$51,110
74% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Monmouth College and return in the fall. 64% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 67% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
64%
4-5 years
3%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
32%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$42,064
Acceptance
91%
Undergrads
713
4-Year Grad Rate
64%
Endowment
$117M
Monmouth, IL 61462-1998
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