2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier 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	Carroll College	80.6	72.64	1,110 – 1,310	26103	43507	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference Carroll College Helena, MT Though the school seal features two lions, Carroll College’s mascot is actually a St. Bernard named Halo. Student athletes compete as the Fighting Saints in Football, Basketball, and Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), among others....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % Acceptance Rate 72.6% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $26,103 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,507
2	The College of Idaho	76.5	47.22	1,070 – 1,270	22602	42097	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference The College of Idaho Caldwell, ID Founded in 1891, The College of Idaho is the oldest private liberal arts college in the state. The school offers up to Master's degrees, and graduates have entered impressive careers in business, politics, law, and sports. Many students pursue degrees in Business Administration and Management, General. First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 47.2% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $22,602 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,097
3	Montana Technological University	72	89.9	1,020 – 1,230	15866	48356	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference Montana Technological University Butte, MT Montana Technological University’s motto “De Re Metallica,” or “Of the metals,” pays homage to the school’s original name – the Montana School of Mines. The school’s seal features mining tools as well. The Orediggers wear green and copper, and athletes could be eligible for athletic scholarships. First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 89.9% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $15,866 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,356
4	Eastern Oregon University	71.48	98.31	930 – 1,150	17219	43034	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference Eastern Oregon University La Grande, OR Based in La Grande, Eastern Oregon University accepted 98% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 94% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Eastern Oregon University,......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 6.7% Acceptance Rate 98.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $17,219 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,034
5	The University of Montana-Western	71	99.5	890 – 1,090	15726	37252	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference The University of Montana-Western Dillon, MT Based in Dillon, The University of Montana-Western’s acceptance rate is 100% and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 44% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 99.5% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $15,726 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,252
6	University of Providence	71	50.28	830 – 1,140	21175	37734	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference University of Providence Great Falls, MT Located in Great Falls, the University of Providence accepted 50% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 97% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. At the University of Providence, there is a 71% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 0.0% Acceptance Rate 50.3% SAT Score 830 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $21,175 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,734
7	Southern Oregon University	69.2	90.07	1,040 – 1,210	17433	39326	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR Located in Ashland, Southern Oregon University’s acceptance rate is 90%. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. About 86% of students at Southern Oregon University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 69%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 90.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $17,433 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,326
8	Rocky Mountain College	69	69.61	970 – 1,180	19173	41783	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference Rocky Mountain College Billings, MT Rocky Mountain College is a fairly selective school. During the last admissions cycle, it received 1,410 applications and accepted 1,000. Athletes are known as the Battlin’ Bears and, wearing forest green and Vegas gold, they compete in Football, Basketball, and Soccer, among other sports. First Year Retention Rate 69 % 7.8% Acceptance Rate 69.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,173 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,783
9	Montana State University-Northern	57.96	95.62	890 – 1,090	11789	45045	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference Montana State University-Northern Havre, MT Based in Havre, Montana State University-Northern accepts 96% of applicants and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 45% of students attending Montana State University-Northern will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % Acceptance Rate 95.6% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $11,789 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,045
10	Arizona Christian University	55	74.42	970 – 1,210	32397	39524	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference Arizona Christian University Glendale, AZ Located in Glendale, Arizona Christian University accepted 74% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 96% of students at Arizona Christian University will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s......Read more First Year Retention Rate 55 % Acceptance Rate 74.4% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $32,397 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,524

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 – Frontier Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

81 %

72.6%

1,110 – 1,310

$26,103

$43,507

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

77 %

47.2%

1,070 – 1,270

$22,602

$42,097

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

72 %

89.9%

1,020 – 1,230

$15,866

$48,356

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

71 % 6.7%

98.3%

930 – 1,150

$17,219

$43,034

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

71 %

99.5%

890 – 1,090

$15,726

$37,252

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

71 % 0.0%

50.3%

830 – 1,140

$21,175

$37,734

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

69 %

90.1%

1,040 – 1,210

$17,433

$39,326

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

69 % 7.8%

69.6%

970 – 1,180

$19,173

$41,783

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

58 %

95.6%

890 – 1,090

$11,789

$45,045

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Frontier Conference

55 %

74.4%

970 – 1,210

$32,397

$39,524

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71 %
6.7%

71 %
0.0%

69 %
7.8%