2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation

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Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation

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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	Stevens Institute of Technology	93.64	47.58	1,390 – 1,510	43665	90326	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Located right on the Hudson River a few minutes from New York City, Stevens Institute of Technology has an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and about 63% of students will graduate in 4 years....Read more First Year Retention Rate 94 % 0.9% Acceptance Rate 47.6% SAT Score 1,390 – 1,510 Avg. Net Price $43,665 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $90,326
2	Messiah University	88.6	78.97	1,130 – 1,360	29882	50192	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Messiah University has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 88% first year retention rate. Originally known as the Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training House in 1909, the school became a college in 1951 and a university in 2020. Incoming students have to sign a Community Covenant. First Year Retention Rate 89 % 4.2% Acceptance Rate 79.0% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $29,882 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,192
3	DeSales University	83.4	77.09	1,090 – 1,260	30524	52721	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation DeSales University Center Valley, PA A Catholic liberal arts school, DeSales University offers 54 degree programs—Business Administration and Management, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse being the most sought after. The school has a 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 83% first year retention rate, and 63% 4-year graduation rate. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 3.0% Acceptance Rate 77.1% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $30,524 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,721
4	Lebanon Valley College	83	83.77	1,140 – 1,310	28640	54021	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA 100% of students attending Lebanon Valley College receive institutional grants averaging $32,975, and 83% will stay on after they complete their first year. Many opt to study Business Administration and Management, General, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and Physical Therapy/Therapist....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 83.8% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $28,640 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,021
5	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus	80.9	95.26	1,080 – 1,240	26472	45916	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, NJ The Florham campus Fairleigh Dickinson opened in 1958, with other campuses located in New Jersey, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With an 80% first year retention rate, many students major in Business Administration and Management, General, Pharmacy, Psychology, and General. First Year Retention Rate 81 % Acceptance Rate 95.3% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $26,472 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,916
6	Stevenson University	79	78.91	1,010 – 1,190	28201	54574	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Based in Owings Mills, Stevenson University accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Stevenson University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 79% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 78.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $28,201 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,574
7	Arcadia University	78.8	80.22	1,090 – 1,280	26994	44004	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Arcadia University Glenside, PA Found in Glenside, Arcadia University accepted 80% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 80.2% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $26,994 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,004
8	Misericordia University	78	88.71	1,090 – 1,260	25090	55910	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Misericordia University Dallas, PA Misericordia University is a private liberal arts school located just north of Philadelphia. Many of its students come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Roman Catholic, College Misericordia was founded in 1924 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy – it became a university in 2007. First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 88.7% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $25,090 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,910
9	Widener University	78	84.02	1,050 – 1,260	30720	63375	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Widener University Chester, PA Based in Chester, Widener University accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Widener University will receive institutional grant aid. At Widener University, there is a 78% first year retention rate and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $30,720 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,375
10	York College of Pennsylvania	76.06	94.2	1,030 – 1,240	21036	50940	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation York College of Pennsylvania York, PA Based in York, York College of Pennsylvania accepts 94% of applicants. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of students at York College of Pennsylvania will receive institutional grant aid. 76% of students continued studying at York College of Pennsylvania after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 94.2% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $21,036 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,940
11	Alvernia University	71	62.32	980 – 1,140	26166	49938	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Alvernia University Reading, PA Based in Reading, Alvernia University accepted 62% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 62.3% SAT Score 980 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $26,166 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,938
12	Delaware Valley University	69.28	93.26	1,090 – 1,270	28401	41324	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Based in Doylestown, Delaware Valley University accepted 93% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 93.3% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $28,401 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,324
13	Albright College	68.8	86.15	950 – 1,150	22116	45391	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Albright College Reading, PA Found in Reading, Albright College accepts 86% of applicants and requires $25 for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Albright College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 86.2% SAT Score 950 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $22,116 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,391
14	Eastern University	65.5	90.96	1,020 – 1,190	21900	41580	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Eastern University Saint Davids, PA Found in Saint Davids, Eastern University’s acceptance rate is 91%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. About 83% of students at Eastern University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 7.2% Acceptance Rate 91.0% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $21,900 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,580
15	Hood College	0	77.77	930 – 1,180	23462	48415	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Hood College Frederick, MD First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 77.8% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $23,462 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,415