2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

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Gulf Coast 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	Wiley University	100	97.35	--	10290	28078	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Wiley University Marshall, TX Wiley University opened in 1873, became Wiley College in 1929, and began offering Master’s degrees again in 2024. Two commonly chosen undergraduate majors are Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General, and Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management. The school’s motto is “Go Forth Inspired.” First Year Retention Rate 100 % Acceptance Rate 97.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $10,290 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $28,078
2	Oakwood University	89.2	50.7	930 – 1,110	22833	30969	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Oakwood University Huntsville, AL Sitting on 1,185 acres in Huntsville, Oakwood University is a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution. The school, whose motto is "God First," has an 89% first year retention rate. andGeneral Studies are the most popular majors. First Year Retention Rate 89 % Acceptance Rate 50.7% SAT Score 930 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $22,833 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,969
3	Fisk University	82	57.91	990 – 1,260	19836	33604	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Fisk University Nashville, TN Fisk University’s 40-acre campus is on the National Register of Historic Places. Opening in 1866, it focused on providing education to freed slaves. The school is fairly selective, and many students choose to major in Biology/Biological Sciences, General. First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 57.9% SAT Score 990 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $19,836 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,604
4	Dillard University	70	40.51	1,010 – 1,150	18551	28507	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Dillard University New Orleans, LA A highly selective school, Dillard University has an 8% yield. While Dillard opened in 1930, it has roots dating back to 1868. The school motto is “Ex Fide, Fortis,” which means “Strong Through Faith.” It’s affiliated with both the United Methodist Church and United Church of Christ. First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 40.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $18,551 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $28,507
5	Philander Smith University	69	100	800 – 1,010	14986	25254	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Philander Smith University Little Rock, AR Based in Little Rock, Philander Smith University accepted 100% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. Approximately 60% of students attending Philander Smith University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 800 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $14,986 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,254
6	Talladega College	59	99.25	850 – 1,090	12450	22613	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Talladega College Talladega, AL Based in Talladega, Talladega College accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. About 63% of students attending Talladega College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 99.3% SAT Score 850 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $12,450 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $22,613
7	Southern University at New Orleans	43.4	60.21	800 – 970	14825	29148	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, LA Based in New Orleans, Southern University at New Orleans’s acceptance rate is 60%. They request $20 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 40% of students at Southern University at New Orleans will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 43 % Acceptance Rate 60.2% SAT Score 800 – 970 Avg. Net Price $14,825 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,148
8	Tougaloo College	0	7.17	880 – 1,090	12158	25777	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tougaloo College Tougaloo, MS First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 7.2% SAT Score 880 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $12,158 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,777

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

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2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

100 %

97.4%

--

$10,290

$28,078

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

89 %

50.7%

930 – 1,110

$22,833

$30,969

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

82 %

57.9%

990 – 1,260

$19,836

$33,604

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

70 %

40.5%

1,010 – 1,150

$18,551

$28,507

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

69 %

100.0%

800 – 1,010

$14,986

$25,254

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

59 %

99.3%

850 – 1,090

$12,450

$22,613

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

43 %

60.2%

800 – 970

$14,825

$29,148

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

--

7.2%

880 – 1,090

$12,158

$25,777

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