2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-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	Freed-Hardeman University	81	90.61	1,010 – 1,230	18267	40086	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Freed-Hardeman University Henderson, TN Found in Henderson, Freed-Hardeman University accepts 91% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 81% and 58% of students will earn......Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 4.5% Acceptance Rate 90.6% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $18,267 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,086
2	University of the Cumberlands	81	71.39	1,010 – 1,210	11555	39046	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY Based in Williamsburg, the University of the Cumberlands’s acceptance rate is 71%. Undergraduates have to send in $30 to apply. About 69% of students at the University of the Cumberlands will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 24.6% Acceptance Rate 71.4% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $11,555 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,046
3	Faulkner University	70	66.13	930 – 1,140	19908	37313	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Faulkner University Montgomery, AL Found in Montgomery, Faulkner University accepts 66% of applicants. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 93% of students at Faulkner University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 20.7% Acceptance Rate 66.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $19,908 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,313
4	Georgetown College	69.06	91.06	970 – 1,150	14878	40393	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Georgetown College Georgetown, KY Georgetown College dates back to 1829. During the last admissions cycle, it accepted 1,230 applicants, 26% of which enrolled. 100% of students receive grant aid, $41,435 each on average. Student athletes could also receive athletic scholarships. 551 Tigers compete in Football, Baseball, and Soccer, among other sports. First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 91.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $14,878 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,393
5	Lindsey Wilson College	63	0	930 – 1,140	14422	34861	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Lindsey Wilson College Columbia, KY First Year Retention Rate 63 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $14,422 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,861
6	Cumberland University	62	67	1,040 – 1,210	17669	52246	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Cumberland University Lebanon, TN Found in Lebanon, Cumberland University accepts 67% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in $25 to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Cumberland University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is 62% and around 41% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % Acceptance Rate 67.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $17,669 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,246
7	Life University	61	93.03	930 – 1,110	30403	37368	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Life University Marietta, GA Based in Marietta, Life University’s acceptance rate is 93% and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 69% of students attending Life University will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 61% and its four year graduation rate is 24%. The......Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % Acceptance Rate 93.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $30,403 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,368
8	Campbellsville University	60	98.33	930 – 1,180	18777	34639	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY Based in Campbellsville, Campbellsville University’s acceptance rate is 98% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 73% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 60%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 60 % 2.3% Acceptance Rate 98.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $18,777 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,639
9	Bethel University	59	97.17	840 – 1,170	20606	38990	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Bethel University McKenzie, TN Based in McKenzie, Bethel University’s acceptance rate is 97% and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 59% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The institution’s first year retention rate is 59% and 26% of students will earn......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % 28.6% Acceptance Rate 97.2% SAT Score 840 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $20,606 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,990
10	Union Commonwealth University	58	55.04	830 – 1,090	19223	36529	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KY Found in Barbourville, Union Commonwealth University’s acceptance rate is 55%. They require $60 for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students attending Union Commonwealth University currently receive grant aid from the school. At Union Commonwealth University, there is a 58% first year retention rate and 28% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % Acceptance Rate 55.0% SAT Score 830 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $19,223 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,529
11	Warner University	45	47.79	830 – 1,060	21471	39589	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference Warner University Lake Wales, FL Located in Lake Wales, Warner University’s acceptance rate is 48% and requires $20 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending Warner University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 45 % 21.1% Acceptance Rate 47.8% SAT Score 830 – 1,060 Avg. Net Price $21,471 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,589

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 – Mid-South Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

81 % 4.5%

90.6%

1,010 – 1,230

$18,267

$40,086

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

81 % 24.6%

71.4%

1,010 – 1,210

$11,555

$39,046

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

70 % 20.7%

66.1%

930 – 1,140

$19,908

$37,313

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

69 %

91.1%

970 – 1,150

$14,878

$40,393

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

63 %

--

930 – 1,140

$14,422

$34,861

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

62 %

67.0%

1,040 – 1,210

$17,669

$52,246

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

61 %

93.0%

930 – 1,110

$30,403

$37,368

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

60 % 2.3%

98.3%

930 – 1,180

$18,777

$34,639

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

59 % 28.6%

97.2%

840 – 1,170

$20,606

$38,990

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

58 %

55.0%

830 – 1,090

$19,223

$36,529

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Mid-South Conference

45 % 21.1%

47.8%

830 – 1,060

$21,471

$39,589

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81 %
4.5%

81 %
24.6%

70 %
20.7%

60 %
2.3%

59 %
28.6%

45 %
21.1%