2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American 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	Harding University	84.4	39.42	1,080 – 1,310	21069	43555	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Harding University Searcy, AR In the last admissions cycle, Harding University 93% of accepted students decided to attend the following fall. In addition, 98% of students attending Harding receive institutional grant aid to help them afford tuition. Student athletes are known as the Bisons, and they wear black and gold....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 39.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $21,069 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,555
2	Ouachita Baptist University	81.9	67.52	1,110 – 1,310	22087	41697	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR Ouachita Baptist University, associated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, first opened in 1886. 577 athletes are known as the Tigers wear purple and gold while competing in Football, Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, and other sports....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 67.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $22,087 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,697
3	Arkansas Tech University	74.1	95.89	930 – 1,140	11443	37638	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR Based in Russellville, Arkansas Tech University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 75% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 74% of students continued......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % 4.2% Acceptance Rate 95.9% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $11,443 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,638
4	Southwestern Oklahoma State University	70	100	930 – 1,140	14761	42896	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, OK Found in Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University accepted 100% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 85% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $14,761 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,896
5	Oklahoma Baptist University	68	63.27	1,010 – 1,210	25099	42581	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, OK Located in Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University accepted 63% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 68% and its four year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 63.3% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $25,099 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,581
6	Southern Nazarene University	66.7	77.03	930 – 1,180	19825	48255	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OK Based in Bethany, Southern Nazarene University accepted 77% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $35 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 99% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % Acceptance Rate 77.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,825 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,255
7	Southern Arkansas University Main Campus	66	75.33	930 – 1,180	14164	37008	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR Based in Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus accepts 75% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 85% of students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus will receive institutional grant aid. 66% of students decide to stay at Southern Arkansas University......Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 4.3% Acceptance Rate 75.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $14,164 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,008
8	Northwestern Oklahoma State University	62	66.43	890 – 1,100	12067	39997	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OK Found in Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s acceptance rate is 66% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 88% of students attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University will receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % Acceptance Rate 66.4% SAT Score 890 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $12,067 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,997
9	East Central University	61	58.15	930 – 1,180	9355	40677	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference East Central University Ada, OK Located in Ada, East Central University accepted 58% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $20 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. About 55% of students attending East Central University will receive grant aid from the school. 61% of students continued their......Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % 8.9% Acceptance Rate 58.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $9,355 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,677
10	Henderson State University	60	81.92	970 – 1,180	16929	35194	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR Located in Arkadelphia, Henderson State University’s acceptance rate is 82% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending Henderson State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 60 % Acceptance Rate 81.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $16,929 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,194
11	Southeastern Oklahoma State University	59.1	80.34	960 – 1,140	8064	40734	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OK Located in Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s acceptance rate is 80%. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. About 78% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 59% and its four year graduation rate is 16%. Many students attending this school......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 80.3% SAT Score 960 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $8,064 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,734
12	University of Arkansas at Monticello	40	96.29	850 – 1,110	13575	31332	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great American Conference University of Arkansas at Monticello Monticello, AR Located in Monticello, the University of Arkansas at Monticello accepts 96% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 46% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At the University of Arkansas at Monticello, there is a 40%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 40 % Acceptance Rate 96.3% SAT Score 850 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $13,575 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,332