2026 College Rankings

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

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American Southwest 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	The University of Texas at Dallas	89.95	65.13	1,170 – 1,420	13464	57249	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX The University of Texas at Dallas has an inspiring motto: “A cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy.” 22,000 students are currently studying for their Bachelor’s degree, but the school offers up to Doctor's degrees. Athletes are known as the Comets, and their mascot is Temoc (comet spelled backwards). First Year Retention Rate 90 % 2.1% Acceptance Rate 65.1% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $13,464 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,249
2	LeTourneau University	80.78	38.01	1,030 – 1,350	27007	51058	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference LeTourneau University Longview, TX Called LeTourneau Technical Institute when it opened in 1946, LeTourneau University's first classes were made up of almost entirely veterans who had just returned from World War II. It received its current name in 1989....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 0.3% Acceptance Rate 38.0% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $27,007 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,058
3	Austin College	79.4	47.65	1,110 – 1,320	24777	45242	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference Austin College Sherman, TX Austin College’s Fighting Kangaroos, competing in the American Southwest Conference, wear crimson and gold. Many alumni have gone on to have impressive careers as musicians, politicians, educators, athletes, and authors. The most popular undergraduate major is Business/Commerce, General. First Year Retention Rate 79 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 47.7% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $24,777 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,242
4	East Texas Baptist University	71	57.76	930 – 1,120	24388	41759	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference East Texas Baptist University Marshall, TX Located in Marshall, East Texas Baptist University accepts 58% of applicants and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. About 99% of students attending East Texas Baptist University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At East Texas Baptist University, there is a 71% first......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 57.8% SAT Score 930 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $24,388 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,759
5	University of the Ozarks	68.62	59.51	1,040 – 1,200	16651	37651	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference University of the Ozarks Clarksville, AR Based in Clarksville, the University of the Ozarks accepts 60% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending the University of the Ozarks will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 6.0% Acceptance Rate 59.5% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $16,651 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,651
6	Hardin-Simmons University	65.33	96.53	970 – 1,190	21321	44392	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference Hardin-Simmons University Abilene, TX Found in Abilene, Hardin-Simmons University accepted 97% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % Acceptance Rate 96.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $21,321 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,392
7	McMurry University	64	57.04	960 – 1,170	20817	38647	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference McMurry University Abilene, TX Found in Abilene, McMurry University accepts 57% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 96% of students at McMurry University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 64%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 57.0% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $20,817 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,647
8	University of Mary Hardin-Baylor	62.4	95.76	990 – 1,220	29904	48368	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, TX Based in Belton, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s acceptance rate is 96%. Undergraduates have to pay $35 to apply. Approximately 99% of students at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % 8.2% Acceptance Rate 95.8% SAT Score 990 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $29,904 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,368
9	Texas Lutheran University	62	95.71	1,040 – 1,240	23600	48125	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference Texas Lutheran University Seguin, TX Located in Seguin, Texas Lutheran University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of students at Texas Lutheran University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % 5.2% Acceptance Rate 95.7% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $23,600 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,125
10	Concordia University Texas	61	91.06	1,010 – 1,210	23621	48058	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference Concordia University Texas Austin, TX Located in Austin, Concordia University Texas accepted 91% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 99% of students attending Concordia University Texas currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending......Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % Acceptance Rate 91.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $23,621 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,058
11	Sul Ross State University	58	95.62	900 – 1,100	12240	34340	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX Found in Alpine, Sul Ross State University’s acceptance rate is 96% and requires $25 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. About 48% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % Acceptance Rate 95.6% SAT Score 900 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $12,240 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,340
12	Howard Payne University	48	67.69	920 – 1,130	25768	38212	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – American Southwest Conference Howard Payne University Brownwood, TX Based in Brownwood, Howard Payne University’s acceptance rate is 68%. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. About 91% of students at Howard Payne University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 48 % Acceptance Rate 67.7% SAT Score 920 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $25,768 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,212