2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 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	George Washington University	92.23	47.09	1,360 – 1,490	45466	71607	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference George Washington University Washington, DC George Washington University was chartered by the United States Congress in 1821. George Washington personally advocated for a national university in the capital until his death. Alumni include J. Edgar Hoover, Belva Ann Lockwood, J. William Fulbright, and several foreign leaders....Read more First Year Retention Rate 92 % 0.4% Acceptance Rate 47.1% SAT Score 1,360 – 1,490 Avg. Net Price $45,466 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,607
2	Saint Joseph's University	88	86.39	1,140 – 1,330	36392	66438	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia, PA Found in Philadelphia, Saint Joseph's University accepts 86% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 100% of students attending Saint Joseph's University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 88 % Acceptance Rate 86.4% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $36,392 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $66,438
3	Saint Louis University	88	75.04	1,140 – 1,400	30911	60716	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO The second oldest Jesuit university in the country, Saint Louis University is also the oldest university west of the Mississippi. The school boasts a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 88% first year retention rate. Many students choose to study Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. First Year Retention Rate 88 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 75.0% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $30,911 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,716
4	George Mason University	86	87.48	1,170 – 1,370	18900	60536	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference George Mason University Fairfax, VA Found in Fairfax, George Mason University accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay $70 to apply. About 59% of students at George Mason University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $18,900 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,536
5	St Bonaventure University	86	81.65	1,090 – 1,300	27659	48559	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference St Bonaventure University Saint Bonaventure, NY St. Bonaventure University has a first year retention rate of 86%, a 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a 71% six year graduation rate. A NCAA Division I without football school, student-athletes compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Basketball, Lacrosse, and Soccer are popular sports. First Year Retention Rate 86 % 6.2% Acceptance Rate 81.7% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $27,659 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,559
6	Virginia Commonwealth University	85.3	92.32	1,040 – 1,310	22852	47161	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Based in Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University accepted 92% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $75 for undergraduate applications and $70 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of students at Virginia Commonwealth University currently receive institutional grant aid. The......Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 92.3% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $22,852 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,161
7	Loyola University Chicago	81.6	81.6	1,220 – 1,390	37592	58411	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Found in Chicago, Loyola University Chicago accepts 82% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 96% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s first year retention rate is 81% and around 65% of students will graduate in four years or less. The three......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 81.6% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $37,592 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,411
8	La Salle University	73	95.52	900 – 1,110	20119	53701	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference La Salle University Philadelphia, PA Located in Philadelphia, La Salle University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 92% of students at La Salle University currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 73%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 5.8% Acceptance Rate 95.5% SAT Score 900 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $20,119 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,701

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

92 % 0.4%

47.1%

1,360 – 1,490

$45,466

$71,607

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

88 %

86.4%

1,140 – 1,330

$36,392

$66,438

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

88 % 0.8%

75.0%

1,140 – 1,400

$30,911

$60,716

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

86 % 1.1%

87.5%

1,170 – 1,370

$18,900

$60,536

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

86 % 6.2%

81.7%

1,090 – 1,300

$27,659

$48,559

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

85 % 0.8%

92.3%

1,040 – 1,310

$22,852

$47,161

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

82 % 2.9%

81.6%

1,220 – 1,390

$37,592

$58,411

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic 10 Conference

73 % 5.8%

95.5%

900 – 1,110

$20,119

$53,701

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92 %
0.4%

88 %
0.8%

86 %
1.1%

86 %
6.2%

85 %
0.8%

82 %
2.9%

73 %
5.8%