2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference

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First-year retention rates measure the percentage of first-year students who come back to campus for a second year. This is an indicator of how happy students are generally with their decision to attend that institution as less students decide to drop out or transfer to another school.

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Rank	Institution	First Year Retention Rate	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Rice University	97	8	1,510 – 1,570	20587	79751	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference Rice University Houston, TX A private, doctoral/research college, Rice University sits on a 300-acre campus in Houston. The school is known for its research collaboration with NASA, and today 16 Rice faculty and alumni have served as astronauts or NASA Administrators....Read more First Year Retention Rate 97 % 0.6% Acceptance Rate 8.0% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $20,587 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $79,751
2	United States Naval Academy	97	9.36	1,210 – 1,440	0	63721	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD A public undergraduate school, the United States Naval Academy’s motto, in Latin, is “Ex Scientia Tridens,” or “From Knowledge, Seapower.” It was established in 1845 and saw disruption and riots during the Civil War that almost caused the government to move the school. Today, it has a 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 97 % Acceptance Rate 9.4% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
3	Tulane University of Louisiana	92.55	13.98	1,400 – 1,510	50631	50220	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA The Tulane University of Louisiana opened in 1834 as the public Medical College of Louisiana, making it one of the oldest medical schools in the country. It became a full university in 1847 and went private in 1884. Tulane is extremely selective, accepting only 4,560 our of 32,600 applications. First Year Retention Rate 93 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 14.0% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $50,631 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,220
4	University of Tulsa	92.12	61.5	1,220 – 1,510	23681	54779	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK Royal blue, old gold, and crimson are the official colors of the University of Tulsa. The Golden Hurricanes compete in Football, Basketball, and Soccer, among others. Alumni include inventors, businessmen, actors, scientists, and politicians. UT’s student-to-faculty ratio is 10 to 1. First Year Retention Rate 92 % 8.4% Acceptance Rate 61.5% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $23,681 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,779
5	University of South Florida	91.2	43.19	1,150 – 1,330	11578	48328	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference University of South Florida Tampa, FL Found in Tampa, the University of South Florida accepts 43% of applicants and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. About 62% of students attending the University of South Florida currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 91 % 0.4% Acceptance Rate 43.2% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $11,578 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,328
6	Southern Methodist University	91	63.35	1,360 – 1,500	45792	65556	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Southern Methodist University is a private doctoral/research university that was founded in 1911. It also has a satellite campus in New Mexico. Alumni include Laura Bush, Powers Boothe, and Kathy Bates, as well as astronauts, scientists, politicians, and writers. 69% of students receive institutional grant aid. First Year Retention Rate 91 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 63.4% SAT Score 1,360 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $45,792 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,556
7	University of North Carolina at Charlotte	85	79.6	1,110 – 1,320	13768	48812	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Based in Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte accepts 80% of applicants. They request $75 for undergraduate applications. About 47% of students at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 1.7% Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $13,768 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,812
8	Florida Atlantic University	84.49	66.13	1,050 – 1,210	9839	45647	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Based in Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University accepted 66% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $30 for undergraduate applications. About 79% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 84% of students decide to stay at......Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 0.6% Acceptance Rate 66.1% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $9,839 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,647
9	Temple University	83	80.45	1,130 – 1,370	29641	50860	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference Temple University Philadelphia, PA Based in Philadelphia, Temple University’s acceptance rate is 80%. They charge $55 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. About 86% of students at Temple University will receive grant aid from the school. At Temple University, there is a 83% first year retention rate and 57% of students will......Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 80.5% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $29,641 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,860
10	East Carolina University	82.72	89.22	1,020 – 1,220	14470	46420	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference East Carolina University Greenville, NC Found in Greenville, East Carolina University accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $75 for undergraduate applications. About 47% of students attending East Carolina University currently receive institutional grant aid. At East Carolina University, there is a 82% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % 0.9% Acceptance Rate 89.2% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $14,470 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,420
11	University of Alabama at Birmingham	82	88.42	1,120 – 1,380	17413	46572	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL Found in Birmingham, the University of Alabama at Birmingham accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $40 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 88% of students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham currently receive institutional......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 88.4% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $17,413 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,572
12	The University of Texas at San Antonio	80	86.79	1,010 – 1,220	10831	46340	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Located in San Antonio, The University of Texas at San Antonio accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $70 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 60% of students at The University of Texas at San Antonio currently receive grant......Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 86.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $10,831 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,340
13	University of Memphis	77.4	72.03	970 – 1,180	13656	40921	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference University of Memphis Memphis, TN 475 Tigers at the University of Memphis compete in the NCAA Division I-FBS American Athletic Conference. Until 2020, the school’s mascot was a live tiger, known as TOM. Since then, Pouncer, a costumed mascot, has taken over the job. Kinesiology and Exercise Science is a popular undergraduate major. First Year Retention Rate 77 % 8.7% Acceptance Rate 72.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,656 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,921
14	University of North Texas	76.84	72.23	990 – 1,240	14675	46304	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference University of North Texas Denton, TX Located in Denton, the University of North Texas’s acceptance rate is 72% and charges $75 for undergraduate applications. About 69% of students at the University of North Texas currently receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 76% and its four year graduation rate is 40%. Computer and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 0.2% Acceptance Rate 72.2% SAT Score 990 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $14,675 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,304
15	Wichita State University	72.3	72.11	970 – 1,220	14184	44043	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Athletic Conference Wichita State University Wichita, KS Found in Wichita, Wichita State University’s acceptance rate is 72%. They request $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 70% of students attending Wichita State University currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 72% and around 25% of students will graduate within four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 72.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $14,184 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,043