2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star 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	Viterbo University	76	72.43	1,110 – 1,250	23901	56804	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association Viterbo University La Crosse, WI Based in La Crosse, Viterbo University accepted 72% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Viterbo University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 8.6% Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $23,901 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,804
2	Dakota State University	75.5	88.14	1,070 – 1,320	19115	46146	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association Dakota State University Madison, SD Based in Madison, Dakota State University accepts 88% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $20 to apply. About 79% of students at Dakota State University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Dakota State University, there is a 75% first year retention rate and around 28% of undergraduates will earn a degree......Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 0.3% Acceptance Rate 88.1% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $19,115 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,146
3	Valley City State University	71	99.07	930 – 1,180	13841	45820	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association Valley City State University Valley City, ND Found in Valley City, Valley City State University’s acceptance rate is 99% and charges $35 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 94% of students at Valley City State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 71% and around 35% of students will graduate within four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 5.9% Acceptance Rate 99.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,841 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,820
4	Dickinson State University	67.44	36.95	900 – 1,110	15490	48628	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association Dickinson State University Dickinson, ND Found in Dickinson, Dickinson State University accepts 37% of applicants. They request $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 80% of students attending Dickinson State University will receive institutional grant aid. At Dickinson State University, there is a 67% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 11.6% Acceptance Rate 37.0% SAT Score 900 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $15,490 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,628
5	Mayville State University	61	78.25	890 – 1,180	14050	43597	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association Mayville State University Mayville, ND Based in Mayville, Mayville State University accepts 78% of applicants. They request $35 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 76% of students attending Mayville State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Mayville State University, there is a 61% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % Acceptance Rate 78.3% SAT Score 890 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $14,050 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,597
6	Bellevue University	50	99.5	--	25735	57732	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association Bellevue University Bellevue, NE Found in Bellevue, Bellevue University accepts 100% of applicants and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 30% of students attending Bellevue University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 50 % Acceptance Rate 99.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $25,735 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,732

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 – North Star Athletic Association

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association

Viterbo UniversityLa Crosse, WI

76 % 8.6%

72.4%

1,110 – 1,250

$23,901

$56,804

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association

Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD

76 % 0.3%

88.1%

1,070 – 1,320

$19,115

$46,146

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association

Valley City State UniversityValley City, ND

71 % 5.9%

99.1%

930 – 1,180

$13,841

$45,820

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association

Dickinson State UniversityDickinson, ND

67 % 11.6%

37.0%

900 – 1,110

$15,490

$48,628

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association

Mayville State UniversityMayville, ND

61 %

78.3%

890 – 1,180

$14,050

$43,597

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – North Star Athletic Association

Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE

50 %

99.5%

--

$25,735

$57,732

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Viterbo University
La Crosse, WI

76 %
8.6%

Dakota State University
Madison, SD

76 %
0.3%

Valley City State University
Valley City, ND

71 %
5.9%

Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND

67 %
11.6%

Mayville State University
Mayville, ND

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE