2026 College Rankings

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

About

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.

Sort by:

View as:

Rank	Institution	First Year Retention Rate	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Duke University	98	5.71	1,520 – 1,560	23422	85792	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference Duke University Durham, NC Methodists and Quakers founded Duke University in 1838. The school has produced 50 Rhodes Scholars, three Turing Award winners, and 15 Noble laureates. Known as the Blue Devils, the university’s colors are Duke blue and white....Read more First Year Retention Rate 98 % Acceptance Rate 5.7% SAT Score 1,520 – 1,560 Avg. Net Price $23,422 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $85,792
2	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	98	14.07	1,370 – 1,530	15901	89432	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA Also referred to as Georgia Tech, the Georgia Institute of Technology was founded in 1885 as part of the Reconstruction plans post-Civil War. At first, it only provided degrees in Mechanical Engineering. By 1901, it also offered Chemical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering....Read more First Year Retention Rate 98 % Acceptance Rate 14.1% SAT Score 1,370 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $15,901 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $89,432
3	University of Virginia-Main Campus	97.9	16.81	1,420 – 1,540	17831	72359	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Thomas Jefferson founded The University of Virginia, and the school’s Board of Visitors also included James Monroe and James Madison. The school's well known for its secret societies and sport accomplishments. The Cavaliers, who wear orange and blue, have over 30 championship wins. First Year Retention Rate 98 % 0.1% Acceptance Rate 16.8% SAT Score 1,420 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $17,831 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $72,359
4	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	96.6	15.34	1,350 – 1,520	11140	57057	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the flagship of the state’s school system. Enrolling students in 1795, it’s also one of the oldest public schools in the United States. UNC became coeducational in 1877 and began admitting African-American graduate students in 1951. First Year Retention Rate 97 % 0.5% Acceptance Rate 15.3% SAT Score 1,350 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $11,140 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,057
5	Florida State University	95.9	24.22	1,300 – 1,420	14903	49814	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Florida State University opened as the Florida Institute in 1854. A NCAA Division I-FBS school and competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Seminoles have brought home several national championships....Read more First Year Retention Rate 96 % 0.3% Acceptance Rate 24.2% SAT Score 1,300 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $14,903 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,814
6	Boston College	95	16.19	1,450 – 1,540	32590	85717	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA A private Jesuit research university, Boston College’s motto is Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν, Greek for “Ever to Excel.” Their athletes, known as the Eagles, wear maroon and gold and are cheered on by Baldwin the Eagle. Past students include John F. Kerry, Leonard Nimoy, Chris O’Donnell, and Amy Poehler. First Year Retention Rate 95 % Acceptance Rate 16.2% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $32,590 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $85,717
7	Wake Forest University	94.7	21.56	1,410 – 1,510	27790	67722	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Based in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University accepts 22% of applicants. They require $85 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 34% of students at Wake Forest University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 95 % Acceptance Rate 21.6% SAT Score 1,410 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $27,790 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,722
8	University of Miami	94	18.9	1,340 – 1,480	41028	61508	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference University of Miami Coral Gables, FL The University of Miami is extremely selective and has a first year retention rate of 94%. With 176 available majors and programs, Law is a common choice. The school’s library system has over 4 million volumes, 4 million microforms, and 1.6 million electronic books. First Year Retention Rate 94 % 2.2% Acceptance Rate 18.9% SAT Score 1,340 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $41,028 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,508
9	Clemson University	93.5	38.34	1,270 – 1,420	24408	58311	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference Clemson University Clemson, SC Clemson University boasts a large campus – 1,400 acres at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains alongside Lake Hartwell. It’s home to the Clemson Experimental Forest, which is used for research, education, and recreation. Business Administration and Management, General is the most popular undergraduate major. First Year Retention Rate 94 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 38.3% SAT Score 1,270 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $24,408 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,311
10	North Carolina State University	93	41.67	1,240 – 1,450	14860	57623	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC The North Carolina State University at Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle with Duke University and the University of North Carolina. The school has a 15 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 93% first year retention rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 93 % Acceptance Rate 41.7% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $14,860 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,623
11	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	93	54.99	1,290 – 1,450	22205	67377	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is more commonly known as Virginia Tech. Students are known as Hokies and wear Chicago maroon and burnt orange to show off their school spirit. They compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Virginia Tech's motto is "That I May Serve." First Year Retention Rate 93 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 55.0% SAT Score 1,290 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $22,205 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,377
12	University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	92	58.08	1,300 – 1,460	24338	54240	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA The University of Pittsburgh opened in 1787 as the Pittsburgh Academy, though it may have roots going back to 1770. Much of the school was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1845, a massive fire that stretched 20 square blocks of the city. Last year, Pitt accepted 35,400 of applicants and 13% of these students enrolled. First Year Retention Rate 92 % Acceptance Rate 58.1% SAT Score 1,300 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $24,338 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,240
13	Syracuse University	90.13	46.11	1,290 – 1,440	51520	60459	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference Syracuse University Syracuse, NY Based in Syracuse, Syracuse University’s acceptance rate is 46% and requires $85 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 81% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. At Syracuse University, there is a 90% first year retention rate and around 72% of undergraduates will......Read more First Year Retention Rate 90 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 46.1% SAT Score 1,290 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $51,520 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,459
14	University of Louisville	81.5	79.41	1,020 – 1,280	18808	46571	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Atlantic Coast Conference University of Louisville Louisville, KY Found in Louisville, the University of Louisville accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 82% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Louisville, there is a 81% first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 79.4% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $18,808 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,571