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	87	72.55	1,210 – 1,410	17366	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 98% of students at Missouri University of Science and Technology currently receive grant aid from the school. 87% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 72.6% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $17,366 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $69,295
2	Maryville University of Saint Louis	85	95.08	1,010 – 1,240	22983	55047	#2 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 % 2.4% Acceptance Rate 95.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $22,983 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,047
3	Truman State University	85	83.77	1,210 – 1,400	13602	43966	#3 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 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 83.8% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $13,602 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,966
4	Drury University	79	57.58	1,120 – 1,340	21903	37508	#4 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 . Approximately 100% of students attending Drury University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 57.6% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $21,903 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,508
5	Lewis University	79	71.29	980 – 1,220	18959	56095	#5 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 $18,959 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,095
6	Rockhurst University	79	69.59	1,010 – 1,240	25787	61371	#6 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, $34,562 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 % 6.0% Acceptance Rate 69.6% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $25,787 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,371
7	University of Illinois Springfield	75	85.88	980 – 1,220	10809	47432	#7 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 48 degree programs with Computer Science, Business Administration and Management, General, and Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst being the most sought after....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 7.4% Acceptance Rate 85.9% SAT Score 980 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $10,809 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,432
8	University of Missouri-St Louis	74	62.67	1,020 – 1,290	14008	47564	#8 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 63%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown 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 74 % 8.8% Acceptance Rate 62.7% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $14,008 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,564
9	William Jewell College	74	38.36	980 – 1,190	19294	54197	#9 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 18 - 24. First Year Retention Rate 74 % 3.9% Acceptance Rate 38.4% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $19,294 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,197
10	University of Indianapolis	71	66.5	970 – 1,190	22662	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 . Approximately 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 4.4% Acceptance Rate 66.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $22,662 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,452
11	Quincy University	70	50.93	1,020 – 1,210	19477	43331	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Quincy University Quincy, IL Located in Quincy, Quincy University accepts 51% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Quincy University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 9.4% Acceptance Rate 50.9% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $19,477 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,331
12	Upper Iowa University	68	96.46	930 – 1,140	20426	48776	#12 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 96% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 86% of students at Upper Iowa University will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s first year retention rate is 68% and its four year graduation rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 15.3% Acceptance Rate 96.5% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $20,426 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,776
13	McKendree University	67	71.72	920 – 1,300	22444	49439	#13 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 72% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 93% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 71.7% SAT Score 920 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $22,444 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,439
14	Southwest Baptist University	65	68.39	930 – 1,240	21336	38855	#14 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 68% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 93% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 68.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $21,336 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,855
15	Lincoln University	60	0	--	14002	32185	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Lakes Valley Conference Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO First Year Retention Rate 60 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,002 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,185