2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU 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	Talladega College	81	85.42	850 – 1,090	1267	22613	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Talladega College Talladega, AL Based in Talladega, Talladega College accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. About 86% 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 81 % 37.3% Acceptance Rate 85.4% SAT Score 850 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $1,267 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $22,613
2	Stillman College	79	62.25	800 – 930	15152	29790	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Stillman College Tuscaloosa, AL Located in Tuscaloosa, Stillman College’s acceptance rate is 62%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 45% of students attending Stillman College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 62.3% SAT Score 800 – 930 Avg. Net Price $15,152 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,790
3	Fisk University	73	37.42	1,060 – 1,290	18595	33604	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU 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 highly selective, and many students choose to major in Biology/Biological Sciences, General. First Year Retention Rate 73 % 11.0% Acceptance Rate 37.4% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $18,595 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,604
4	Dillard University	70	41.86	970 – 1,140	21842	28507	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Dillard University New Orleans, LA A highly selective school, Dillard University has an 6% 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 41.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $21,842 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $28,507
5	Wilberforce University	70	40.5	850 – 1,080	5533	35146	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Wilberforce University Wilberforce, OH Based in Wilberforce, Wilberforce University accepts 40% of applicants and requires $25 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of students at Wilberforce University will receive grant aid from the school. 74% of students continued their studies at Wilberforce University after......Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 40.5% SAT Score 850 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $5,533 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,146
6	University of the Virgin Islands	69	98.98	810 – 1,040	7464	32360	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference University of the Virgin Islands Charlotte Amalie, VI Found in Charlotte Amalie, the University of the Virgin Islands accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. Approximately 61% of students at the University of the Virgin Islands currently receive institutional grant aid. At the University of the......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 99.0% SAT Score 810 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $7,464 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,360
7	Philander Smith University	67	68	870 – 1,040	14082	25254	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Philander Smith University Little Rock, AR Based in Little Rock, Philander Smith University accepted 68% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. Approximately 85% of students attending Philander Smith University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 68.0% SAT Score 870 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $14,082 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,254
8	Oakwood University	64	45.22	880 – 1,130	26730	30969	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU 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 71% first year retention rate. General Studies, and Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist are the most popular majors. First Year Retention Rate 64 % 28.3% Acceptance Rate 45.2% SAT Score 880 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $26,730 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,969
9	Voorhees University	63	65.45	730 – 930	13307	24199	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Voorhees University Denmark, SC Found in Denmark, Voorhees University accepts 65% of applicants. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. About 43% of students attending Voorhees University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % Acceptance Rate 65.5% SAT Score 730 – 930 Avg. Net Price $13,307 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,199
10	Southern University at New Orleans	48	78.9	850 – 1,050	14480	29148	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, LA Based in New Orleans, Southern University at New Orleans’s acceptance rate is 79%. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 33% of students at Southern University at New Orleans will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 48 % 10.6% Acceptance Rate 78.9% SAT Score 850 – 1,050 Avg. Net Price $14,480 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,148
11	Wiley University	32	0	--	7149	28078	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU 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, Business Administration and Management, and General. The school’s motto is “Go Forth Inspired.” First Year Retention Rate 32 % 68.0% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $7,149 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $28,078
12	Rust College	10	48.67	860 – 1,030	12037	25641	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Rust College Holly Springs, MS Based in Holly Springs, Rust College accepted 49% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. About 65% of students at Rust College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 10 % Acceptance Rate 48.7% SAT Score 860 – 1,030 Avg. Net Price $12,037 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,641
13	Tougaloo College	0	59.85	880 – 1,090	14328	25777	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – HBCU Athletic Conference Tougaloo College Tougaloo, MS Based in Tougaloo, Tougaloo College accepts 60% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 48% of students at Tougaloo College currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 59.9% SAT Score 880 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $14,328 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,777