2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley 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	Belmont University	87	95.28	1,180 – 1,370	37558	42770	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Belmont University Nashville, TN Located in Nashville, Belmont University accepted 95% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 91% of students at Belmont University currently receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % 3.6% Acceptance Rate 95.3% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $37,558 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,770
2	South Dakota State University	84	98.34	1,020 – 1,220	18233	49564	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference South Dakota State University Brookings, SD South Dakota State University is the largest university in the state. Each year, the school receives around 7,300 applications. 94% of enrolled students get grant aid, $4,327 on average. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most commonly chosen major by far. First Year Retention Rate 84 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 98.3% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,233 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,564
3	University of North Dakota	84	76.9	1,050 – 1,250	18227	54588	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND Located in Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota’s acceptance rate is 77%. They charge $35 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 71% of students attending the University of North Dakota will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At......Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 76.9% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $18,227 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,588
4	University of Evansville	83.3	78.13	1,090 – 1,330	21611	46734	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference University of Evansville Evansville, IN Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, the University of Evansville dates back to 1854. It has a satellite center in England. A NCAA Division I without football school, the Purple Aces compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. Classes are on the small size, with a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 78.1% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $21,611 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,734
5	Bradley University	82.47	76.75	1,060 – 1,290	24703	59114	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Bradley University Peoria, IL Found in Peoria, Bradley University’s acceptance rate is 77%. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Bradley University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The institution’s first year retention rate is 82% and its four year graduation......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 1.8% Acceptance Rate 76.8% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $24,703 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,114
6	University of Northern Iowa	81.7	87.13	1,010 – 1,220	15931	47222	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA Based in Cedar Falls, the University of Northern Iowa’s acceptance rate is 87% and charges $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 73% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Northern Iowa, there is a 81% first year retention rate and around 44% of undergraduates will earn......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 87.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $15,931 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,222
7	Illinois State University	81.44	88.15	1,010 – 1,220	20871	50599	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Illinois State University Normal, IL Located in Normal, Illinois State University’s acceptance rate is 88% and charges $55 for undergraduate applications. About 94% of students at Illinois State University will receive grant aid from the school. At Illinois State University, there is a 81% first year retention rate and a 48% four year graduation rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 0.2% Acceptance Rate 88.2% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $20,871 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,599
8	University of Illinois Chicago	80.21	77.35	1,150 – 1,360	11499	53218	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Based in Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago accepts 77% of applicants. They charge $60 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 69% of students at the University of Illinois Chicago currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 80% and around 36% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 2.8% Acceptance Rate 77.4% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $11,499 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,218
9	University of South Dakota	79.34	98.78	1,020 – 1,220	18466	46290	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD Based in Vermillion, the University of South Dakota accepts 99% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in $20 to apply. About 70% of students at the University of South Dakota currently receive grant aid from the school. 79% of students continued studying at the University of South Dakota after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 98.8% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,466 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,290
10	North Dakota State University	78.42	94.96	1,010 – 1,210	16461	54312	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference North Dakota State University Fargo, ND Located in Fargo, North Dakota State University accepts 95% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 70% of students attending North Dakota State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.0% Acceptance Rate 95.0% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,461 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,312
11	Youngstown State University	75.4	80.66	950 – 1,180	11740	37590	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Found in Youngstown, Youngstown State University’s acceptance rate is 81%. Undergraduates have to send in $45 to apply. Approximately 82% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At Youngstown State University, there is a 75% first year retention rate and a 23% four year graduation rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % Acceptance Rate 80.7% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $11,740 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,590
12	Murray State University	75.23	85.68	1,010 – 1,240	9738	38473	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Murray State University Murray, KY Based in Murray, Murray State University’s acceptance rate is 86% and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 95% of students at Murray State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 75%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 85.7% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $9,738 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,473
13	Missouri State University-Springfield	71.76	90.53	1,020 – 1,250	17104	40553	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Missouri State University-Springfield Springfield, MO Found in Springfield, Missouri State University-Springfield’s acceptance rate is 91%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 80% of students attending Missouri State University-Springfield currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 9.2% Acceptance Rate 90.5% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $17,104 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,553
14	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	66.8	86.88	920 – 1,190	16131	43087	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Located in Carbondale, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale’s acceptance rate is 87% and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 78% of students attending Southern Illinois University-Carbondale will receive institutional grant aid. 66% of students continued studying at Southern Illinois......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 2.8% Acceptance Rate 86.9% SAT Score 920 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $16,131 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,087
15	Indiana State University	65.85	80.77	1,040 – 1,240	13321	41047	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Located in Terre Haute, Indiana State University accepts 81% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $45 for graduate applications. About 72% of students at Indiana State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 65%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 4.6% Acceptance Rate 80.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $13,321 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,047
16	Western Illinois University	58.7	74.96	850 – 1,130	12168	43057	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Western Illinois University Macomb, IL Found in Macomb, Western Illinois University accepts 75% of applicants. They require $30 for undergraduate applications. About 53% of students attending Western Illinois University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Western Illinois University, there is a 58% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 75.0% SAT Score 850 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $12,168 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,057