2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association

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Colonial Athletic Association

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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	Northeastern University	96.9	5.22	1,450 – 1,540	34770	78413	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Northeastern University Boston, MA Based in Boston, Northeastern University’s acceptance rate is 5%. They charge $75 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 72% of students attending Northeastern University will receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 96%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 97 % Acceptance Rate 5.2% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $34,770 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $78,413
2	Villanova University	95.2	26.98	1,410 – 1,510	37946	84905	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Villanova University Villanova, PA Villanova University is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania and the only Augustinian university in the country. The school has deep religious roots, and the administration is led by priests. Their motto is “Veritas, Unitas, Caritas” or “Truth, Unity, Charity.” Two famous alumni include Jill Biden and Howie Long. First Year Retention Rate 95 % Acceptance Rate 27.0% SAT Score 1,410 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $37,946 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $84,905
3	William & Mary	95	34.07	1,410 – 1,530	20422	62959	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association William & Mary Williamsburg, VA The second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, King William III and Queen Mary II founded the aptly named William & Mary in 1693. Alumni include Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Tyler, James Comey, and Jon Stewart. Athletes wear green and gold, and the school mascot is The Griffin. First Year Retention Rate 95 % Acceptance Rate 34.1% SAT Score 1,410 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $20,422 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,959
4	University of Delaware	92	69.24	1,210 – 1,400	17716	58846	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association University of Delaware Newark, DE During the last admissions cycle, the University of Delaware received 40,000 applications. It also has a 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and a 92% first year retention rate. UD’s athletes are known as the Fightin' Blue Hens and they compete in the Colonial Athletic Association. First Year Retention Rate 92 % 2.1% Acceptance Rate 69.2% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $17,716 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,846
5	University of Richmond	90.9	22.2	1,440 – 1,540	35263	67927	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA “Verbum Vitae et Lumen Scientiae” or “Word of life and light of knowledge” is the University of Richmond’s motto. 23% of accepted students go on to attend in the fall. A NCAA Division I-FCS school, 405 athletes are cheered on by WebstUR the Spider. First Year Retention Rate 91 % Acceptance Rate 22.2% SAT Score 1,440 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $35,263 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,927
6	Drexel University	90	79.44	1,250 – 1,440	42342	69063	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Located in Philadelphia, Drexel University accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 90% and its four year graduation......Read more First Year Retention Rate 90 % Acceptance Rate 79.4% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $42,342 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $69,063
7	Stony Brook University	89.75	49.04	1,330 – 1,500	18601	59492	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Based in Stony Brook, Stony Brook University’s acceptance rate is 49% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 79% of students at Stony Brook University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 90 % Acceptance Rate 49.0% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $18,601 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,492
8	University of North Carolina Wilmington	88.2	64.24	1,200 – 1,340	18606	46972	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC Located in Wilmington, the University of North Carolina Wilmington accepted 64% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $80 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 50% of students attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 88 % Acceptance Rate 64.2% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $18,606 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,972
9	University of New Hampshire-Main Campus	87.3	88.16	1,100 – 1,340	24762	53671	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, NH Found in Durham, the University of New Hampshire-Main Campus’s acceptance rate is 88% and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. About 95% of students attending the University of New Hampshire-Main Campus will receive grant aid from the school. At the University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, there is a 87% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % Acceptance Rate 88.2% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $24,762 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,671
10	Bryant University	86.91	65.46	1,200 – 1,330	40612	66488	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Bryant University Smithfield, RI Located in Smithfield, Bryant University accepts 65% of applicants and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 98% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % Acceptance Rate 65.5% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $40,612 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $66,488
11	Hampton University	84.2	62.25	810 – 1,100	28576	42721	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Hampton University Hampton, VA Hampton University sits on a 314-acre campus, and it’s home to several research centers, including the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute. It also has several National Historic Landmarks. 386 student athletes, known as the Pirates, compete in the NCAA Division I-FCS Colonial Athletic Association. First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 62.3% SAT Score 810 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $28,576 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,721
12	Hofstra University	84	68.08	1,240 – 1,410	35687	52131	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Hofstra University Hempstead, NY Located in Hempstead, Hofstra University’s acceptance rate is 68% and requests $70 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 99% of students at Hofstra University will receive institutional grant aid. 84% of students decide to stay at Hofstra University after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 68.1% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $35,687 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,131
13	University at Albany	83.6	69.09	1,160 – 1,330	19165	51380	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association University at Albany Albany, NY Found in Albany, the University at Albany accepts 69% of applicants and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 92% of students attending the University at Albany will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is 83% and 59% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 30.8% Acceptance Rate 69.1% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $19,165 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,380
14	University of Rhode Island	83.6	72.16	1,020 – 1,280	20964	57446	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI Based in Kingston, the University of Rhode Island accepts 72% of applicants. They request $65 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 98% of students at the University of Rhode Island will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 72.2% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $20,964 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,446
15	University of Maine	83.4	96.64	1,060 – 1,300	18237	43124	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association University of Maine Orono, ME Found in Orono, the University of Maine 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 95% of students at the University of Maine will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 83% and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 96.6% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $18,237 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,124
16	Towson University	83	81.98	950 – 1,240	15064	54302	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Towson University Towson, MD Located in Towson, Towson University accepted 82% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $50 for undergraduate applications. About 51% of students attending Towson University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 82.0% SAT Score 950 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $15,064 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,302
17	College of Charleston	82	60.03	1,170 – 1,340	20806	43821	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association College of Charleston Charleston, SC Based in Charleston, the College of Charleston accepts 60% of applicants. They request $60 for undergraduate applications. About 65% of students attending the College of Charleston will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 60.0% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $20,806 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,821
18	North Carolina A & T State University	80	46.17	930 – 1,150	10258	36638	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, or A&T for short, is the largest HBCU in the country. The campus is often called “Aggieland.” In 1960, four Aggies helped kick off the Civil Rights movement when they conducted a “sit-in” at a Woolworth’s....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 1.8% Acceptance Rate 46.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $10,258 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,638
19	Monmouth University	79.9	89.02	1,150 – 1,320	33228	55825	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Monmouth University West Long Branch, NJ Located in West Long Branch, Monmouth University accepts 89% of applicants and requires $60 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Monmouth University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % Acceptance Rate 89.0% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $33,228 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,825
20	Campbell University	76	87.2	1,020 – 1,220	24517	45511	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Based in Buies Creek, Campbell University accepts 87% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 87.2% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $24,517 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,511
21	Elon University	0	66.35	1,150 – 1,340	41849	58082	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Colonial Athletic Association Elon University Elon, NC First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 66.4% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $41,849 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,082