2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky 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	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	95.1	31.22	1,240 – 1,450	16888	72358	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Also known as Cal Poly, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is one of two polytechnics in the school system. The university’s motto is “Discere Faciendo,” which is Latin for “Learn by Doing.” Cal Poly participates in the NCAA Division I-FCS Big Sky Conference. Known as the Mustangs, they wear green and gold. First Year Retention Rate 95 % 0.4% Acceptance Rate 31.2% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $16,888 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $72,358
2	University of California-Davis	93	41.83	1,180 – 1,420	17315	58461	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference University of California-Davis Davis, CA The University of California – Davis is the seventh campus within the University of California system. It was originally an agricultural branch when founded in 1905, and was known as University Farm. Famous alumni have included the CEO of Chevron, John S....Read more First Year Retention Rate 93 % Acceptance Rate 41.8% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,315 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,461
3	California State University-Sacramento	81.1	93.43	900 – 1,130	11183	51074	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA Based in Sacramento, California State University-Sacramento accepted 93% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $70 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 54% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. At California State......Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 93.4% SAT Score 900 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $11,183 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,074
4	Montana State University	78.5	82.14	1,080 – 1,290	18511	44757	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference Montana State University Bozeman, MT “Mountains and Mines” is the motto of Montana State University. In the last admissions cycle, the school received 21,700 applications and accepted 82% of them. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business/Commerce, General, and Mechanical Engineering are the most popular undergraduate majors....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 82.1% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $18,511 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,757
5	University of Idaho	76	75.53	1,000 – 1,240	14377	42602	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference University of Idaho Moscow, ID “A Legacy of Leading” is the motto of the University of Idaho. Founded in 1889, it was the only university in the state until 1963. The Vandals compete in Football, Basketball, and Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), among others....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 75.5% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $14,377 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,602
6	University of Northern Colorado	75.9	93.63	970 – 1,200	19115	43756	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO Also known as UNC, the university’s motto is "Sapientia in aeternum est" or “Wisdom is eternal.” 82% of UNC students receive institutional grant aid—$5,686 on average. Klawz the Bear is the school's mascot, and their colors are navy blue and gold. Notable alumni of UNC include musicians, champion athletes, and politicians. First Year Retention Rate 76 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 93.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $19,115 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,756
7	Northern Arizona University	75	89.61	1,040 – 1,250	16544	47308	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Northern Arizona University's most popular major is Psychology, General, though there are 171 degree programs available. 93% of students receive institutional grant aid, averaging $9,981 each. The Access2Excellence program covers full tuition for qualifying in-state students. First Year Retention Rate 75 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 89.6% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $16,544 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,308
8	The University of Montana	74.8	95.86	1,080 – 1,290	17775	35729	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference The University of Montana Missoula, MT Located along the Clark Fork River, The University of Montana's Grizzlies and Lady Griz compete in the NCAA Division I-FCS Big Sky Conference. Alumni include Colin Meloy, J.K. Simmons, and Carroll O’Connor, as well as numerous professional athletes, scientists, and politicians. First Year Retention Rate 75 % 1.6% Acceptance Rate 95.9% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $17,775 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,729
9	Portland State University	74.7	90.91	1,050 – 1,310	12509	46937	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference Portland State University Portland, OR Located in Portland, Portland State University accepts 91% of applicants and requires $60 for undergraduate applications and $67 for graduate applications. About 55% of students at Portland State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % Acceptance Rate 90.9% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $12,509 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,937
10	Idaho State University	71	83.96	--	12353	41377	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference Idaho State University Pocatello, ID Located in Pocatello, Idaho State University accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and $65 for graduate applications. About 81% of students at Idaho State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $12,353 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,377
11	Eastern Washington University	67.17	94.37	990 – 1,120	13786	46469	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Found in Cheney, Eastern Washington University accepted 94% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $60 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 73% of students attending Eastern Washington University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 94.4% SAT Score 990 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $13,786 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,469
12	Weber State University	0	100	970 – 1,180	11572	47061	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference Weber State University Ogden, UT First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $11,572 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,061

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 – Big Sky Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

95 % 0.4%

31.2%

1,240 – 1,450

$16,888

$72,358

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

93 %

41.8%

1,180 – 1,420

$17,315

$58,461

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

81 % 1.4%

93.4%

900 – 1,130

$11,183

$51,074

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

79 % 0.8%

82.1%

1,080 – 1,290

$18,511

$44,757

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

76 % 1.3%

75.5%

1,000 – 1,240

$14,377

$42,602

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

76 % 2.6%

93.6%

970 – 1,200

$19,115

$43,756

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

75 % 2.7%

89.6%

1,040 – 1,250

$16,544

$47,308

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

75 % 1.6%

95.9%

1,080 – 1,290

$17,775

$35,729

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

75 %

90.9%

1,050 – 1,310

$12,509

$46,937

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

71 %

84.0%

--

$12,353

$41,377

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

67 % 0.8%

94.4%

990 – 1,120

$13,786

$46,469

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Big Sky Conference

--

100.0%

970 – 1,180

$11,572

$47,061

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95 %
0.4%

81 %
1.4%

79 %
0.8%

76 %
1.3%

76 %
2.6%

75 %
2.7%

75 %
1.6%

67 %
0.8%