2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast 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	Saint Francis University	88	79.16	1,050 – 1,250	27421	56920	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Saint Francis University Loretto, PA Founded in 1847, Saint Francis University is affiliated with the Catholic Church. The 600-acre campus is home to a museum of art, The Institute for Contemporary Franciscan Life, and a 9-hole golf course. SFU is a NCAA Division I-FCS member and the Red Flash compete in the Northeast Conference. First Year Retention Rate 88 % Acceptance Rate 79.2% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $27,421 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,920
2	Sacred Heart University	85	67.68	1,180 – 1,310	46165	63925	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CT Located in Fairfield, Sacred Heart University’s acceptance rate is 68% and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students at Sacred Heart University currently receive grant aid from the school. 85% of students continued their studies at Sacred Heart University after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % Acceptance Rate 67.7% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $46,165 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,925
3	Stonehill College	85	72.56	1,180 – 1,310	31134	63285	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Stonehill College Easton, MA Located in Easton, Stonehill College accepted 73% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $60 to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Stonehill College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 72.6% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $31,134 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,285
4	Duquesne University	84	83.56	1,190 – 1,350	35125	62627	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA Located in Pittsburgh, Duquesne University’s acceptance rate is 84%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 100% of students attending Duquesne University currently receive grant aid from the school. 84% of students continued studying at Duquesne University after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 83.6% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $35,125 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,627
5	Le Moyne College	84	78.7	1,170 – 1,340	22139	53493	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Le Moyne College Syracuse, NY Located in Syracuse, Le Moyne College’s acceptance rate is 79%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of students attending Le Moyne College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 78.7% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $22,139 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,493
6	Robert Morris University	84	90.57	1,080 – 1,280	26215	54449	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA Found in Moon Township, Robert Morris University’s acceptance rate is 91% and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 98% of students at Robert Morris University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 90.6% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $26,215 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,449
7	Wagner College	84	88	1,180 – 1,300	28109	63439	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Wagner College Staten Island, NY Wagner College’s 105-acre campus overlooks the New York Harbor, Downtown Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, and the Verrazzano Bridge. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the school opened in 1883. It's a member of the NCAA Division I-FCS, and the Seahawks participate in the Northeast Conference. First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 88.0% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $28,109 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,439
8	Mercyhurst University	79.5	81.02	1,080 – 1,300	26962	39565	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Mercyhurst University Erie, PA Based in Erie, Mercyhurst University’s acceptance rate is 81%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 95% of students at Mercyhurst University will receive institutional grant aid. They are given $28,508 on average. The first year retention rate is 79%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % Acceptance Rate 81.0% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $26,962 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,565
9	Central Connecticut State University	77	73.33	890 – 1,130	17207	49016	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT Central Connecticut State University is fairly selective, and alumni include professional athletes, actors, and politicians. Founded in 1849, it’s the oldest publicly-funded university in the state. Psychology, General, Educational Leadership and Administration, and General are popular undergraduate areas of study. First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 73.3% SAT Score 890 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $17,207 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,016
10	Long Island University	77	89.77	1,150 – 1,360	22620	47543	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Long Island University Brookville, NY Found in Brookville, Long Island University accepts 90% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $50 to apply. Approximately 95% of students at Long Island University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 89.8% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $22,620 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,543
11	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus	0	92.92	1,010 – 1,210	17121	45916	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus Teaneck, NJ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 92.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $17,121 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,916

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 – Northeast Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

88 %

79.2%

1,050 – 1,250

$27,421

$56,920

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

85 %

67.7%

1,180 – 1,310

$46,165

$63,925

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

85 % 2.7%

72.6%

1,180 – 1,310

$31,134

$63,285

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

84 %

83.6%

1,190 – 1,350

$35,125

$62,627

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

84 %

78.7%

1,170 – 1,340

$22,139

$53,493

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

84 %

90.6%

1,080 – 1,280

$26,215

$54,449

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

84 %

88.0%

1,180 – 1,300

$28,109

$63,439

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

80 %

81.0%

1,080 – 1,300

$26,962

$39,565

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

77 %

73.3%

890 – 1,130

$17,207

$49,016

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

77 % 1.2%

89.8%

1,150 – 1,360

$22,620

$47,543

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northeast Conference

--

92.9%

1,010 – 1,210

$17,121

$45,916

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85 %
2.7%

77 %
1.2%