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	23993	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. 76% 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 $23,993 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
2	Cedarville University	90	65.29	1,120 – 1,350	27150	47937	#2 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 $20,740 per student on average. First Year Retention Rate 90 % 5.9% Acceptance Rate 65.3% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $27,150 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,937
3	Northwood University	79	64.51	950 – 1,160	25549	54058	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Northwood University Midland, MI Found in Midland, Northwood University accepts 65% of applicants. They request $30 for undergraduate applications. About 95% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 64.5% SAT Score 950 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $25,549 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,058
4	Ashland University	77	76.4	1,040 – 1,210	22610	47722	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Midwest Athletic Conference Ashland University Ashland, OH Found in Ashland, Ashland University’s acceptance rate is 76% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of students attending Ashland University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is 77% and its......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 6.9% Acceptance Rate 76.4% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $22,610 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,722
5	Malone University	76	75.86	970 – 1,180	22390	43056	#5 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 % 5.6% Acceptance Rate 75.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $22,390 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,056
6	The University of Findlay	74	83.37	1,010 – 1,240	27297	49757	#6 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 83% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 74% and 50%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % 2.8% Acceptance Rate 83.4% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $27,297 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,757
7	Tiffin University	72	80.05	870 – 1,090	26068	42475	#7 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 $75 for undergraduate applications. About 96% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. At Tiffin University, there is a 72% first year retention rate and a 36% four year graduation......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 20.0% Acceptance Rate 80.1% SAT Score 870 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $26,068 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,475
8	Walsh University	72	70.74	1,040 – 1,280	23933	50090	#8 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 71% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 96% of students at Walsh University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 72% of students continued their......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 70.7% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $23,933 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,090
9	Ursuline College	70	74.93	1,030 – 1,200	16350	45646	#9 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 70 % 4.1% Acceptance Rate 74.9% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $16,350 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,646
10	Thomas More University	67	90.35	1,080 – 1,280	22297	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 90% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 98% of students at Thomas More University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % Acceptance Rate 90.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $22,297 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,148
11	Ohio Dominican University	64	94.23	1,040 – 1,310	21032	43933	#11 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 . Approximately 100% of students attending Ohio Dominican University will receive grant aid from the school. 64% of students continued their studies at Ohio Dominican University after completing their......Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 6.7% Acceptance Rate 94.2% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $21,032 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,933
12	Lake Erie College	59	70.36	970 – 1,180	22892	43959	#12 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 70% 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 59% first year retention rate and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % 10.6% Acceptance Rate 70.4% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $22,892 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,959
13	Kentucky Wesleyan College	53	71.6	890 – 1,140	20999	35895	#13 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 72%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At Kentucky Wesleyan College, there is a 53% first year retention rate and around 41% of undergraduates will earn a degree......Read more First Year Retention Rate 53 % 18.5% Acceptance Rate 71.6% SAT Score 890 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $20,999 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,895