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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	85.44	93.67	1,180 – 1,370	38578	42770	#1 2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Belmont University Nashville, TN Located in Nashville, Belmont University accepted 94% 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 93% of students at Belmont University currently receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 1.8% Acceptance Rate 93.7% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $38,578 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,770
2	University of Northern Iowa	84.72	93.13	1,010 – 1,220	16437	47222	#2 2027 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 93% and charges $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 80% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Northern Iowa, there is a 84% first year retention rate and around 51% of undergraduates will earn......Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 3.7% Acceptance Rate 93.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $16,437 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,222
3	University of Evansville	83.4	94.12	1,070 – 1,280	18773	46734	#3 2027 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 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 0.1% Acceptance Rate 94.1% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $18,773 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,734
4	South Dakota State University	83	96.18	1,010 – 1,220	19932	49564	#4 2027 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 6,700 applications. 94% of enrolled students get grant aid, $4,474 on average. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most commonly chosen major by far. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 96.2% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $19,932 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,564
5	University of Illinois Chicago	82.51	75.76	1,040 – 1,320	10852	53218	#5 2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Around 24,000 undergraduates are currently enrolled at the University of Illinois Chicago, and it's the largest university within the Chicago metropolitan area. With 16 colleges, it offers up to Doctor's degrees....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 75.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $10,852 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,218
6	Bradley University	82	74.59	1,060 – 1,290	23787	59114	#6 2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference Bradley University Peoria, IL Found in Peoria, Bradley University’s acceptance rate is 75%. 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 % 0.6% Acceptance Rate 74.6% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $23,787 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,114
7	Illinois State University	81.88	85.55	1,000 – 1,230	21369	50599	#7 2027 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 86% 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 51% four year graduation rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 0.5% Acceptance Rate 85.6% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $21,369 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,599
8	North Dakota State University	78.42	94.96	1,010 – 1,210	15596	54312	#8 2027 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 72% 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 % Acceptance Rate 95.0% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $15,596 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,312
9	Murray State University	77.82	84.13	1,010 – 1,240	10182	38473	#9 2027 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 84% and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 96% of students at Murray State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 3.4% Acceptance Rate 84.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $10,182 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,473
10	University of South Dakota	77	98.84	1,020 – 1,220	19133	46290	#10 2027 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 $21 to apply. About 74% of students at the University of South Dakota currently receive grant aid from the school. 77% of students continued studying at the University of South Dakota after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 98.8% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $19,133 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,290
11	Youngstown State University	70.43	91.45	1,010 – 1,230	12757	37590	#11 2027 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 91%. Undergraduates have to send in $45 to apply. Approximately 79% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At Youngstown State University, there is a 70% first year retention rate and a 33% four year graduation rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 6.1% Acceptance Rate 91.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $12,757 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,590
12	Indiana State University	69	91.57	900 – 1,130	12066	41047	#12 2027 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 92% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. About 93% of students at Indiana State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 69%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 91.6% SAT Score 900 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $12,066 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,047
13	Southern Illinois University-Carbondale	66.7	94.44	910 – 1,200	13473	43087	#13 2027 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 94% and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 81% 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 % 0.1% Acceptance Rate 94.4% SAT Score 910 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $13,473 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,087

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

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2027 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

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2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

85 % 1.8%

93.7%

1,180 – 1,370

$38,578

$42,770

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

85 % 3.7%

93.1%

1,010 – 1,220

$16,437

$47,222

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

83 % 0.1%

94.1%

1,070 – 1,280

$18,773

$46,734

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

83 % 1.2%

96.2%

1,010 – 1,220

$19,932

$49,564

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

83 % 2.9%

75.8%

1,040 – 1,320

$10,852

$53,218

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

82 % 0.6%

74.6%

1,060 – 1,290

$23,787

$59,114

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

82 % 0.5%

85.6%

1,000 – 1,230

$21,369

$50,599

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

78 %

95.0%

1,010 – 1,210

$15,596

$54,312

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

78 % 3.4%

84.1%

1,010 – 1,240

$10,182

$38,473

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

77 % 2.9%

98.8%

1,020 – 1,220

$19,133

$46,290

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

70 % 6.1%

91.5%

1,010 – 1,230

$12,757

$37,590

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

69 % 4.8%

91.6%

900 – 1,130

$12,066

$41,047

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Missouri Valley Conference

67 % 0.1%

94.4%

910 – 1,200

$13,473

85 %
1.8%

85 %
3.7%

83 %
0.1%

83 %
1.2%

83 %
2.9%

82 %
0.6%

82 %
0.5%

78 %
3.4%

77 %
2.9%

70 %
6.1%

69 %
4.8%

67 %
0.1%