2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

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California Pacific 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	Soka University of America	92	69.52	1,220 – 1,460	18807	51242	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference Soka University of America Aliso Viejo, CA The Soka University of America, a fairly new school (founded in 2001), focuses on pacifism, human rights, and the creative coexistence of nature and humanity. It was created by the founder of the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist movement, Daisaku Ikeda. Students enjoy a cozy 7 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 92 % Acceptance Rate 69.5% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $18,807 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,242
2	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott	83.8	76.58	1,160 – 1,360	41209	65391	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Prescott, AZ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus is located just north of a wildlife sanctuary and the Willow Creek Reservoir. Alumni of the school have gone on to have impressive careers as astronauts, scientists, military members, authors, athletes, and politicians....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 7.2% Acceptance Rate 76.6% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $41,209 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,391
3	Simpson University	82	99.03	970 – 1,180	28453	51256	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference Simpson University Redding, CA Based in Redding, Simpson University accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $35 for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Simpson University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 99.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $28,453 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,256
4	University of California-Merced	82	91.52	980 – 1,160	13232	48475	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference University of California-Merced Merced, CA Located in Merced, the University of California-Merced accepted 92% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $70 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 71% of students at the University of California-Merced currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 91.5% SAT Score 980 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $13,232 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,475
5	Pacific Union College	80	42.48	970 – 1,210	22799	52713	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference Pacific Union College Angwin, CA Found in Angwin, Pacific Union College accepted 42% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students at Pacific Union College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % Acceptance Rate 42.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $22,799 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,713
6	Westcliff University	74	45.09	--	26051	63721	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference Westcliff University Irvine, CA Found in Irvine, Westcliff University accepted 45% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $30 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 32% of students at Westcliff University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 45.1% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $26,051 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
7	California State University Maritime Academy	72.2	98.73	930 – 1,210	16081	84676	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference California State University Maritime Academy Vallejo, CA Cal Maritime is one of the 23 campuses that make up the California State University system. Students learn on a training ship, known as the “Golden Bear,” that serves as a floating classroom and laboratory. Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer is the most popular area of study out of 7 programs. First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 98.7% SAT Score 930 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,081 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $84,676
8	Providence Christian College	0	92.52	1,010 – 1,210	25354	52373	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference Providence Christian College Pasadena, CA First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 92.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $25,354 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,373

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 – California Pacific Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

92 %

69.5%

1,220 – 1,460

$18,807

$51,242

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

84 % 7.2%

76.6%

1,160 – 1,360

$41,209

$65,391

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

82 %

99.0%

970 – 1,180

$28,453

$51,256

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

82 % 1.2%

91.5%

980 – 1,160

$13,232

$48,475

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

80 %

42.5%

970 – 1,210

$22,799

$52,713

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

74 %

45.1%

--

$26,051

$63,721

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

72 %

98.7%

930 – 1,210

$16,081

$84,676

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – California Pacific Conference

--

92.5%

1,010 – 1,210

$25,354

$52,373

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84 %
7.2%

82 %
1.2%