2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference

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Great Lakes Valley 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	Missouri University of Science and Technology	86.6	72.55	1,210 – 1,410	14414	69295	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Located in Rolla, Missouri University of Science and Technology accepted 73% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 96% of students at Missouri University of Science and Technology currently receive grant aid from the school. 86% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 72.6% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $14,414 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $69,295
2	Truman State University	84.74	83.77	1,210 – 1,400	12798	43966	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Truman State University Kirksville, MO Originally known as the North Missouri Normal and Commercial School when founded in 1867, the school was renamed the Truman State University (TSU) in 1996 after U.S. President Harry Truman. Athletes, wearing purple and white, are known as the Bulldogs....Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 83.8% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $12,798 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,966
3	Maryville University of Saint Louis	84.67	95.08	970 – 1,210	26733	55047	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO Maryville University of Saint Louis is made up of six colleges and schools, including the School of Adult and Online Education focused on providing online, weekend, and evening courses....Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 2.0% Acceptance Rate 95.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $26,733 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,047
4	University of Illinois Springfield	80.7	84.37	1,040 – 1,240	9241	47432	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL The University of Illinois Springfield is one of three in the University of Illinois system and is located in the state's capitol city. U of I offers 46 degree programs with Computer Science, Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, and General being the most sought after....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % Acceptance Rate 84.4% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $9,241 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,432
5	Rockhurst University	79.35	70.89	1,010 – 1,240	23785	61371	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Rockhurst University Kansas City, MO There is no application fee at Rockhurst University, where 100% of students who attend receive grant aid, $34,253 on average. Rockhurt’s motto is Sapientia Aedificavit Sibi Domum which is Latin for “Wisdom has built herself a home.” The most popular major among students is Registered Nursing. First Year Retention Rate 79 % 5.8% Acceptance Rate 70.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $23,785 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,371
6	Lewis University	79	71.28	980 – 1,220	19472	56095	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Lewis University Romeoville, IL Found in Romeoville, Lewis University accepted 71% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 6.0% Acceptance Rate 71.3% SAT Score 980 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $19,472 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,095
7	Drury University	76	57.58	1,120 – 1,340	22194	37508	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Drury University Springfield, MO Based in Springfield, Drury University’s acceptance rate is 58%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Drury University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 57.6% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $22,194 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,508
8	William Jewell College	74	38.36	1,010 – 1,210	17408	54197	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference William Jewell College Liberty, MO William Jewell College dates back to 1849 and was originally associated with the Missouri Baptist Convention. The school became independent in 2003. Out of the accepted students, 33% decide to attend. If taking the ACT, students should aim for between a 19 - 25. First Year Retention Rate 74 % 3.9% Acceptance Rate 38.4% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $17,408 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,197
9	McKendree University	73	63.88	920 – 1,300	25200	49439	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference McKendree University Lebanon, IL Located in Lebanon, McKendree University’s acceptance rate is 64% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 87% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 63.9% SAT Score 920 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $25,200 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,439
10	University of Indianapolis	71	66.48	970 – 1,190	19903	46452	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Found in Indianapolis, the University of Indianapolis accepted 66% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 4.4% Acceptance Rate 66.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $19,903 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,452
11	University of Missouri-St Louis	68	57.16	1,040 – 1,270	11577	47564	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis, MO Based in Saint Louis, the University of Missouri-St Louis’s acceptance rate is 57%. Undergraduates have to send in $35 to apply. About 99% of students attending the University of Missouri-St Louis will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 57.2% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $11,577 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,564
12	Southwest Baptist University	66	99.72	970 – 1,210	19781	38855	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, MO Located in Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University accepts 100% of applicants and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. About 76% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % Acceptance Rate 99.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $19,781 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,855
13	Upper Iowa University	55	93.38	960 – 1,130	22427	48776	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA Based in Fayette, Upper Iowa University accepts 93% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 94% of students at Upper Iowa University will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s first year retention rate is 55% and its four year graduation rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 55 % Acceptance Rate 93.4% SAT Score 960 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $22,427 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,776
14	Quincy University	0	50.93	1,020 – 1,210	17424	43331	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Quincy University Quincy, IL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 50.9% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $17,424 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,331