2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference

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Great Midwest Athletic 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	Hillsdale College	97	20.72	1,350 – 1,480	26030	63721	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MI Hillsdale College’s motto is “Virtus Tentamine Gaudet” or “Strength Rejoices in the Challenge.” The school has a 97% first year retention rate and an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. All students have to take courses on the “Great Books” and the United States Constitution. 78% will graduate within 4 years. First Year Retention Rate 97 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 20.7% SAT Score 1,350 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $26,030 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
2	Northwood University	78.9	83.9	970 – 1,180	26429	54058	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Northwood University Midland, MI Found in Midland, Northwood University accepts 84% of applicants. They request $30 for undergraduate applications. About 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 83.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $26,429 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,058
3	Walsh University	76	78.15	1,040 – 1,260	21009	50090	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Walsh University North Canton, OH Found in North Canton, Walsh University accepted 78% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 99% of students at Walsh University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 76% of students continued their......Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $21,009 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,090
4	Malone University	75.6	75.86	970 – 1,180	23362	43056	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Malone University Canton, OH Malone University offers up to Post-master's certificates. Affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, the school’s motto is “Christ’s Kingdom First.” A part of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, 398 Pioneers compete in sports, such as Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Basketball, and Soccer. First Year Retention Rate 76 % 5.0% Acceptance Rate 75.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $23,362 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,056
5	Ursuline College	75	84.01	980 – 1,190	17678	45646	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Ursuline College Pepper Pike, OH Ursuline College is a private liberal arts school founded in 1871 as a Catholic women's college. While men can attend this school today, the school continues to provide a woman-focused education and the majority of students are women....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $17,678 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,646
6	Trevecca Nazarene University	73	69.44	980 – 1,190	16222	46065	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Trevecca Nazarene University Nashville, TN Based in Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University accepts 69% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 69.4% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $16,222 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,065
7	The University of Findlay	72	86.15	1,010 – 1,240	26215	49757	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference The University of Findlay Findlay, OH Located in Findlay, The University of Findlay accepted 86% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 98% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 72% and 47% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 86.2% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $26,215 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,757
8	Kentucky Wesleyan College	67	67.05	1,010 – 1,210	20867	35895	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY Located in Owensboro, Kentucky Wesleyan College’s acceptance rate is 67%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 95% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At Kentucky Wesleyan College, there is a 67% first year retention rate and around 33% of undergraduates will earn a degree......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % Acceptance Rate 67.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $20,867 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,895
9	Ohio Dominican University	64	94.23	1,040 – 1,310	21006	43933	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Ohio Dominican University Columbus, OH Based in Columbus, Ohio Dominican University accepts 94% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Ohio Dominican University will receive grant aid from the school. 64% of students continued their studies at Ohio Dominican......Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 6.7% Acceptance Rate 94.2% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $21,006 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,933
10	Thomas More University	63	97.03	1,040 – 1,190	21314	47148	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY Located in Crestview Hills, Thomas More University accepts 97% of applicants. They charge $30 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 100% of students at Thomas More University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % Acceptance Rate 97.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $21,314 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,148
11	Lake Erie College	62.9	64.12	970 – 1,160	22322	43959	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Lake Erie College Painesville, OH Located in Painesville, Lake Erie College accepted 64% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students at Lake Erie College currently receive grant aid from the school. At Lake Erie College, there is a 62% first year retention rate and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % Acceptance Rate 64.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $22,322 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,959
12	Tiffin University	60.28	79.77	860 – 1,120	24516	42475	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tiffin University Tiffin, OH Found in Tiffin, Tiffin University accepted 80% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 97% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. At Tiffin University, there is a 60% first year retention rate and a 36% four year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 60 % Acceptance Rate 79.8% SAT Score 860 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $24,516 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,475
13	Ashland University	0	80.53	1,040 – 1,250	21971	47722	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Ashland University Ashland, OH First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 80.5% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $21,971 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,722
14	Cedarville University	0	64.88	1,140 – 1,360	27047	47937	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Cedarville University Cedarville, OH Cedarville University first opened in 1887. One famous alumnus is Grace Norman, who won a gold medal and bronze medal for the United States in the 2016 Paralympics, for the triathlon and 400m respectively. 100% of students receive institutional grant aid from Cedarville, around $18,776 per student on average. First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 64.9% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $27,047 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,937