2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference

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Northern Sun Intercollegiate 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	Augustana University	85.5	67.75	1,090 – 1,290	25280	49826	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD At Augustana University, navy blue and gold are the official colors of the Vikings, who compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Education, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are the most popular majors on campus, and the school has a 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 1.8% Acceptance Rate 67.8% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $25,280 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,826
2	University of Minnesota Duluth	81.14	88.76	1,150 – 1,320	19542	52840	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference University of Minnesota Duluth Duluth, MN Found in Duluth, the University of Minnesota Duluth accepts 89% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 89% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. At the University of Minnesota Duluth, there is a 81% first year retention rate and a......Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 0.2% Acceptance Rate 88.8% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $19,542 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,840
3	University of Mary	80	78.25	1,090 – 1,290	19225	50191	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference University of Mary Bismarck, ND Although the University of Mary calls North Dakota home and sits along the Missouri River, satellite campuses can be found all over the United States. It also has a study-abroad campus in Rome. In the classroom, students enjoy a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 80 % Acceptance Rate 78.3% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $19,225 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,191
4	University of Minnesota-Crookston	80	87.81	1,010 – 1,180	13442	51905	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference University of Minnesota-Crookston Crookston, MN Based in Crookston, the University of Minnesota-Crookston’s acceptance rate is 88%. They request $30 for undergraduate applications and . About 87% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 3.9% Acceptance Rate 87.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,442 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,905
5	Northern State University	77	93.17	970 – 1,180	16873	41536	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Northern State University Aberdeen, SD Located in Aberdeen, Northern State University’s acceptance rate is 93% and requests $20 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 83% of students at Northern State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 93.2% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $16,873 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,536
6	Winona State University	76.06	68.48	1,010 – 1,220	18919	51288	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Winona State University Winona, MN Winona State University is a part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. Founded in 1858 as the First State Normal School of Minnesota, it would get its current moniker in 1975. Many undergraduates major in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 68.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,919 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,288
7	Minnesota State University, Mankato	74	91.33	1,010 – 1,210	17227	50098	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, MN Based in Mankato, Minnesota State University- Mankato accepted 91% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $20 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. Approximately 43% of students attending Minnesota State University- Mankato currently receive institutional grant......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 91.3% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $17,227 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,098
8	University of Sioux Falls	74	82.98	970 – 1,140	21049	46712	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference University of Sioux Falls Sioux Falls, SD Based in Sioux Falls, the University of Sioux Falls accepted 83% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at the University of Sioux Falls currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 83.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $21,049 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,712
9	Southwest Minnesota State University	73.4	64.09	930 – 1,140	14839	43282	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Southwest Minnesota State University Marshall, MN Based in Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University’s acceptance rate is 64%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and $30 for graduate applications. Approximately 82% of students at Southwest Minnesota State University currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 73%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 9.6% Acceptance Rate 64.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $14,839 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,282
10	Wayne State College	72	100	970 – 1,180	15458	40857	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Wayne State College Wayne, NE Based in Wayne, Wayne State College accepted 100% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 54% of students attending Wayne State College currently receive grant aid from the school. At Wayne State College, there is a 72% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,458 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,857
11	Minnesota State University Moorhead	71.8	52.95	980 – 1,190	18231	45873	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN Based in Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead accepted 53% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 84% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 53.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $18,231 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,873
12	Bemidji State University	71	91.31	1,040 – 1,180	16349	47469	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Bemidji State University Bemidji, MN Located in Bemidji, Bemidji State University accepts 91% of applicants. They charge $20 for undergraduate applications and $20 for graduate applications. About 70% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 91.3% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $16,349 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,469
13	Concordia University-Saint Paul	68	78.87	1,080 – 1,240	17989	50646	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Concordia University-Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN Found in Saint Paul, Concordia University-Saint Paul accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending Concordia University-Saint Paul currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 78.9% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $17,989 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,646
14	Saint Cloud State University	68	94.95	970 – 1,220	14648	47215	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN Based in Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University accepted 95% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 52% of students at Saint Cloud State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 95.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $14,648 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,215
15	Minot State University	66.48	64.62	970 – 1,180	12349	46214	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Minot State University Minot, ND Based in Minot, Minot State University’s acceptance rate is 65%. Undergraduates have to pay $35 to apply. Approximately 85% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 7.1% Acceptance Rate 64.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $12,349 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,214