2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association

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Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association

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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	University of Nebraska at Kearney	80	89.49	970 – 1,210	16249	43241	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NE University of Nebraska at Kearney is a non selective school, and many who enroll pursue Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Management, General, and Elementary Education and Teaching. UNK also has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1 and first year retention rate of 80%. First Year Retention Rate 80 % 3.9% Acceptance Rate 89.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,249 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,241
2	Fort Hays State University	78	91.77	940 – 1,340	13774	44428	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Fort Hays State University Hays, KS Found in Hays, Fort Hays State University accepts 92% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in $30 to apply. About 78% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 91.8% SAT Score 940 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $13,774 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,428
3	Emporia State University	76.9	97.71	970 – 1,180	15441	41389	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Emporia State University Emporia, KS Based in Emporia, Emporia State University accepts 98% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 83% of students attending Emporia State University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Emporia State University, there is a 76% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 12.5% Acceptance Rate 97.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,441 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,389
4	University of Central Missouri	73.92	63.8	930 – 1,180	15728	41593	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO Based in Warrensburg, the University of Central Missouri’s acceptance rate is 64%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. About 92% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Central Missouri, there is a 73% first year retention rate and 34% of students will graduate in four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % 5.9% Acceptance Rate 63.8% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,728 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,593
5	Northwest Missouri State University	73.53	86.13	970 – 1,180	15497	41695	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO Found in Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University accepted 86% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 93% of students at Northwest Missouri State University currently receive institutional grant......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 86.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,497 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,695
6	Newman University	72.3	47.61	970 – 1,210	19315	47051	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Newman University Wichita, KS Found in Wichita, Newman University’s acceptance rate is 48%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 94% of students at Newman University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 47.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $19,315 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,051
7	University of Central Oklahoma	71.9	81.76	1,010 – 1,180	18893	43074	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK Based in Edmond, the University of Central Oklahoma’s acceptance rate is 82% and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 53% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students are given $3,080 each. The first year retention rate is 71%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 81.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $18,893 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,074
8	Washburn University	68	100	890 – 1,140	12894	42881	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Washburn University Topeka, KS Based in Topeka, Washburn University’s acceptance rate is 100% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 70% of students at Washburn University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 890 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $12,894 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,881
9	Rogers State University	65.63	66.83	800 – 1,070	13953	39324	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Rogers State University Claremore, OK Located in Claremore, Rogers State University’s acceptance rate is 67% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 46% of students attending Rogers State University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 5.9% Acceptance Rate 66.8% SAT Score 800 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $13,953 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,324
10	Missouri Southern State University	63	97.06	950 – 1,200	11264	37866	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO Found in Joplin, Missouri Southern State University accepted 97% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. About 72% of students attending Missouri Southern State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % 10.0% Acceptance Rate 97.1% SAT Score 950 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $11,264 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,866
11	Northeastern State University	60.81	99.35	930 – 1,140	11153	41207	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK Located in Tahlequah, Northeastern State University’s acceptance rate is 99%. They request $25 for undergraduate applications. About 55% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % 3.8% Acceptance Rate 99.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $11,153 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,207
12	Lincoln University	59	0	800 – 1,040	12673	32185	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score 800 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $12,673 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,185
13	Missouri Western State University	54	99.96	890 – 1,140	12764	37499	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO Found in Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University’s acceptance rate is 100%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 80% of students at Missouri Western State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is 54% and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 54 % 14.3% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 890 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $12,764 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,499
14	Pittsburg State University	0	87.27	930 – 1,180	19357	43793	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 87.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,357 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,793