2026 College Rankings

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

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Great Northeast 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	Simmons University	85	69.98	1,230 – 1,410	28691	61420	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Simmons University Boston, MA Simmons University is a private women’s institution, though the graduate school does admit men. It was founded as a college in 1899 and became a university in 2018. Simmons has an 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 85% first year retention rate. 100% of students receive institutional grant aid. First Year Retention Rate 85 % 3.7% Acceptance Rate 70.0% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $28,691 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,420
2	Johnson & Wales University-Providence	82	88.41	920 – 1,180	32057	35802	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI Based in Providence, Johnson & Wales University-Providence accepts 88% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 100% of students at Johnson & Wales University-Providence will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 7.9% Acceptance Rate 88.4% SAT Score 920 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $32,057 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,802
3	University of Saint Joseph	82	78.59	850 – 1,170	29300	52053	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference University of Saint Joseph West Hartford, CT The University of Saint Joseph was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1932 as an all women’s school – it only started accepting men in 2018. The 84-acre campus is well known for its Georgian brick architecture. Undergraduates enjoy a cozy 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 82 % 4.7% Acceptance Rate 78.6% SAT Score 850 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $29,300 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,053
4	Emmanuel College	79	75.65	1,170 – 1,340	31121	50180	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Emmanuel College Boston, MA Found in Boston, Emmanuel College accepted 76% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 100% of students at Emmanuel College currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 75.7% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $31,121 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,180
5	Regis College	79	69.78	860 – 1,070	28575	56223	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Regis College Weston, MA Regis College was founded as a women’s school by the Roman Catholic Sisters of St. Joseph. It started accepting men in 2007. Regis offers up to Doctor's degrees, with 37 available programs and majors. There are currently more graduates than undergraduates attending. First Year Retention Rate 79 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 69.8% SAT Score 860 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $28,575 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,223
6	Colby-Sawyer College	77	80.08	890 – 1,090	27496	37935	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Colby-Sawyer College New London, NH Colby-Sawyer College was founded in 1837. Originally called the New London Academy, the school underwent a number of name changes, arriving at its current moniker in 1975....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 4.9% Acceptance Rate 80.1% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $27,496 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,935
7	College of Our Lady of the Elms	76	85.26	1,150 – 1,320	19870	54087	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference College of Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee, MA Also known simply as Elms College, College of Our Lady of the Elms has a Latin motto: “Viam Veritatis Elegi” – “I have chosen the way of truth.” It opened as a preparatory academy for women in 1897. Although the school started admitting men in 1998, women still make up most of the student body. First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 85.3% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $19,870 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,087
8	Rivier University	76	82.59	1,060 – 1,180	28584	54599	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Rivier University Nashua, NH Rivier University is named after its founder, Anne-Marie Rivier. Opened in 1933 as a Catholic women’s college, it admitted men starting in 1991 and became a university in 2012. Nursing Science, Computer and Information Sciences, and General are popular programs....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 82.6% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $28,584 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,599
9	Saint Joseph's College of Maine	75	83.51	960 – 1,150	28217	52884	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Saint Joseph's College of Maine Standish, ME Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is located on the shore of Sebago Lake. 336 athletes, known as the Monks, compete in Basketball, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), and Lacrosse, among others. 100% of students receive grant aid, averaging $31,558 each. First Year Retention Rate 75 % 6.3% Acceptance Rate 83.5% SAT Score 960 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $28,217 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,884
10	Lasell University	70	81.22	1,030 – 1,160	27773	45468	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Lasell University Newton, MA Lasell University was founded as a women’s seminary in 1851 and although it became coeducational in 1997, women still make up most of the student body. The school’s motto is “Ignorant of Defeat.” 96% receive grant aid, averaging $14,638 each, and students can earn up to a Master's degree. First Year Retention Rate 70 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 81.2% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $27,773 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,468
11	New England College	61	92.13	820 – 1,040	27398	31050	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference New England College Henniker, NH Located in Henniker, New England College accepts 92% of applicants. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 97% of students at New England College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % Acceptance Rate 92.1% SAT Score 820 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $27,398 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,050
12	Mitchell College	59	94.66	700 – 930	31536	35330	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Great Northeast Athletic Conference Mitchell College New London, CT Based in New London, Mitchell College’s acceptance rate is 95%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % 3.5% Acceptance Rate 94.7% SAT Score 700 – 930 Avg. Net Price $31,536 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,330