2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest 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	Hannibal-LaGrange University	78	72.63	850 – 1,180	22685	41185	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference Hannibal-LaGrange University Hannibal, MO Located in Hannibal, Hannibal-LaGrange University accepts 73% of applicants. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 63% of students at Hannibal-LaGrange University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 72.6% SAT Score 850 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $22,685 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,185
2	Stephens College	78	77.22	930 – 1,160	23194	36778	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference Stephens College Columbia, MO Located in Columbia, Stephens College accepts 77% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. About 100% of students attending Stephens College will receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 78%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 9.9% Acceptance Rate 77.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $23,194 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,778
3	Columbia College	75	47.14	1,040 – 1,250	21530	40747	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference Columbia College Columbia, MO Based in Columbia, Columbia College’s acceptance rate is 47%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 62% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 11.9% Acceptance Rate 47.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $21,530 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,747
4	Williams Baptist University	70	83.42	890 – 1,080	12692	38067	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR Found in Walnut Ridge, Williams Baptist University accepts 83% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Williams Baptist University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 40.0% Acceptance Rate 83.4% SAT Score 890 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $12,692 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,067
5	University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis	69	89.84	1,020 – 1,230	33147	116360	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis Saint Louis, MO A majority of students attending the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis are graduates, only 340 are studying for their Bachelor’s. From 1864 to 2020, it was known as the “St. Louis College of Pharmacy.” The school has a 69% first year retention rate, and 100% of students receive grant aid. First Year Retention Rate 69 % 9.5% Acceptance Rate 89.8% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $33,147 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $116,360
6	Harris-Stowe State University	68	47.84	850 – 1,010	9418	26634	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference Harris-Stowe State University Saint Louis, MO Based in Saint Louis, Harris-Stowe State University accepted 48% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 68% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 68% and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 47.8% SAT Score 850 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $9,418 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,634
7	Central Baptist College	63	63.46	930 – 1,140	17469	37681	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference Central Baptist College Conway, AR Located in Conway, Central Baptist College accepted 63% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $25 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of students at Central Baptist College will receive institutional grant aid. At Central Baptist College, there is a 63% first......Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % 6.8% Acceptance Rate 63.5% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $17,469 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,681
8	Mission University	59	0	--	23118	30600	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference Mission University Springfield, MO First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $23,118 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,600
9	William Woods University	58	70.96	1,040 – 1,240	27092	39265	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference William Woods University Fulton, MO Found in Fulton, William Woods University accepts 71% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 98% of students at William Woods University will receive institutional grant aid. 58% of students continued studying at William Woods University after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % 21.6% Acceptance Rate 71.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $27,092 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,265
10	Crowley's Ridge College	54	0	--	17162	33362	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference Crowley's Ridge College Paragould, AR First Year Retention Rate 54 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $17,162 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,362

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

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

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

78 % 1.3%

72.6%

850 – 1,180

$22,685

$41,185

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

78 % 9.9%

77.2%

930 – 1,160

$23,194

$36,778

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

75 % 11.9%

47.1%

1,040 – 1,250

$21,530

$40,747

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

70 % 40.0%

83.4%

890 – 1,080

$12,692

$38,067

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

69 % 9.5%

89.8%

1,020 – 1,230

$33,147

$116,360

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

68 % 1.4%

47.8%

850 – 1,010

$9,418

$26,634

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

63 % 6.8%

63.5%

930 – 1,140

$17,469

$37,681

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

59 %

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--

$23,118

$30,600

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

58 % 21.6%

71.0%

1,040 – 1,240

$27,092

$39,265

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Midwest Conference

54 %

--

--

$17,162

$33,362

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78 %
1.3%

78 %
9.9%

75 %
11.9%

70 %
40.0%

69 %
9.5%

68 %
1.4%

63 %
6.8%

58 %
21.6%