2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South 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	Union University	89.35	60.16	1,120 – 1,380	27191	45505	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Union University Jackson, TN Union University athletes are known as the Bulldogs. Previously a NCAA Division I school, they’ve won several championships while part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Today, athletes compete in the Gulf South Conference....Read more First Year Retention Rate 89 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 60.2% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $27,191 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,505
2	University of West Florida	88	56.87	1,020 – 1,220	8908	42204	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference University of West Florida Pensacola, FL Found in Pensacola, the University of West Florida accepts 57% of applicants and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 66% of students at the University of West Florida currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 88 % Acceptance Rate 56.9% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $8,908 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,204
3	University of Alabama in Huntsville	84	68.57	1,130 – 1,370	19847	55610	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL Located in Huntsville, the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s acceptance rate is 69%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 92% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 3.7% Acceptance Rate 68.6% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $19,847 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,610
4	Lee University	82	70.52	1,040 – 1,270	20222	38082	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Lee University Cleveland, TN Found in Cleveland, Lee University accepts 71% of applicants. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 89% of students at Lee University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 70.5% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $20,222 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,082
5	Mississippi College	78	49.28	1,010 – 1,210	21135	42011	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Mississippi College Clinton, MS Located in Clinton, Mississippi College accepted 49% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $35 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 97% of students at Mississippi College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 78% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 49.3% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $21,135 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,011
6	University of West Georgia	77.5	51.61	950 – 1,130	14962	41000	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA Located in Carrollton, the University of West Georgia accepts 52% of applicants. They request $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 15% of students at the University of West Georgia currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.0% Acceptance Rate 51.6% SAT Score 950 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $14,962 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,000
7	Christian Brothers University	75	86.7	1,020 – 1,200	17068	48592	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Located in Memphis, Christian Brothers University accepts 87% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 86.7% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $17,068 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,592
8	University of Montevallo	73	55.79	1,010 – 1,240	17280	35406	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL Located in Montevallo, the University of Montevallo’s acceptance rate is 56% and requires $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 96% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 55.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $17,280 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,406
9	North Greenville University	72	66.67	1,060 – 1,270	20264	38173	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference North Greenville University Tigerville, SC Based in Tigerville, North Greenville University accepts 67% of applicants and charges $35 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of students attending North Greenville University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 4.3% Acceptance Rate 66.7% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $20,264 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,173
10	Valdosta State University	71.9	72.14	920 – 1,110	11532	39416	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA Valdosta State University was originally an all women college when it opened in 1913. It became coeducational in 1950. Today, it’s a part of the University System of Georgia. 356 athletes compete as the Blazers, wearing red and black. VSU is a NCAA Division II with football school. First Year Retention Rate 72 % 5.7% Acceptance Rate 72.1% SAT Score 920 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $11,532 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,416
11	Auburn University at Montgomery	68	91.57	980 – 1,190	15458	38216	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL Based in Montgomery, Auburn University at Montgomery accepted 92% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 97% of students at Auburn University at Montgomery currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 3.0% Acceptance Rate 91.6% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $15,458 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,216
12	Delta State University	66.67	100	930 – 1,150	13457	36265	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Delta State University Cleveland, MS Based in Cleveland, Delta State University’s acceptance rate is 100%. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications and $30 for graduate applications. Approximately 75% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Delta State University, there is a 66% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 9.4% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $13,457 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,265
13	Chowan University	64	72.37	880 – 1,090	15845	30096	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC Located in Murfreesboro, Chowan University’s acceptance rate is 72%. They request $20 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 100% of students attending Chowan University currently receive grant aid from the school. 64% of students decide to stay at Chowan University after completing their first......Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 880 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $15,845 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,096
14	Shorter University	63	96.93	970 – 1,210	16692	41860	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference Shorter University Rome, GA Found in Rome, Shorter University accepted 97% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $25 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 95% of students at Shorter University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % Acceptance Rate 96.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,692 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,860
15	University of West Alabama	60.7	87.11	860 – 1,080	14781	37106	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Gulf South Conference University of West Alabama Livingston, AL Found in Livingston, the University of West Alabama accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 64% of students at the University of West Alabama currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending......Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % Acceptance Rate 87.1% SAT Score 860 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $14,781 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,106