2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest 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	Whitman College	88.7	38.15	1,330 – 1,480	41601	45594	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Whitman College Walla Walla, WA Whitman College is a small liberal arts college located at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Founded in 1859, it now offers over 80 off-campus programs in around 40 countries. With a 9 to 1 student-faculty ratio and a 1 to 1 student-to-tree ratio, students will find it a cozy and earthy community....Read more First Year Retention Rate 89 % 0.3% Acceptance Rate 38.2% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $41,601 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,594
2	Willamette University	87	77.09	1,260 – 1,420	27716	38932	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Willamette University Salem, OR Willamette University is the oldest college in the Western United States, having opened in 1842. It has an 87% first year retention rate, 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 72% six year graduation rate. Willamette offers 37 programs, and many study Law, Business Administration and Management, and General. First Year Retention Rate 87 % 0.7% Acceptance Rate 77.1% SAT Score 1,260 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $27,716 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,932
3	Lewis & Clark College	86.1	78.49	1,240 – 1,400	38247	43608	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Lewis & Clark College Portland, OR Based in Portland, Lewis & Clark College accepts 78% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Lewis & Clark College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 5.0% Acceptance Rate 78.5% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $38,247 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,608
4	University of Puget Sound	84.02	72.25	1,200 – 1,390	42301	46802	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA Found in Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound’s acceptance rate is 72%. Undergraduates have to pay $65 to apply. About 99% of students at the University of Puget Sound will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 5.0% Acceptance Rate 72.3% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $42,301 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,802
5	George Fox University	83	93.51	1,060 – 1,340	30649	53568	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference George Fox University Newberg, OR George Fox University is a private Christian institution with an 83% first year retention rate and 17 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. GFU’s student athletes are known as the Bruins. Wearing navy blue and gold, they compete in the NCAA Division III with football Northwest Conference. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 7.8% Acceptance Rate 93.5% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $30,649 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,568
6	Linfield University	79.7	85.17	1,050 – 1,240	31462	70643	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Linfield University McMinnville, OR Linfield College became Linfield University in 2020, but the school has roots going back to 1858, when it was called the Baptist College of McMinnville. Its motto is “Connecting Learning, Life and Community.” Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most popular program by far....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 85.2% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $31,462 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $70,643
7	Pacific University	79	89.56	940 – 1,290	34809	46936	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Pacific University Forest Grove, OR Although Pacific University is nonsectarian today, it still works closely with the United Church of Christ, who was instrumental in the institution’s founding. There are currently more graduate students than undergraduates. Pacific University was a founding member of the Northwest Conference, which the Boxers participate in. First Year Retention Rate 79 % 3.9% Acceptance Rate 89.6% SAT Score 940 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $34,809 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,936
8	Whitworth University	77.8	86.77	1,100 – 1,340	27491	49510	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Whitworth University Spokane, WA Whitworth University’s motto is “Education of Mind and Heart.” The most common majors and programs include Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, and Elementary Education and Teaching. 77% of students return after completing their first year, and 75% will graduate within 6 years. First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 86.8% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $27,491 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,510
9	Pacific Northwest College of Art	69.5	74.85	--	42195	24101	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, OR Found in Portland, Pacific Northwest College of Art accepted 75% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 99% of students attending Pacific Northwest College of Art will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 10.3% Acceptance Rate 74.9% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $42,195 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,101

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 – Northwest Conference

About

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

89 % 0.3%

38.2%

1,330 – 1,480

$41,601

$45,594

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

87 % 0.7%

77.1%

1,260 – 1,420

$27,716

$38,932

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

86 % 5.0%

78.5%

1,240 – 1,400

$38,247

$43,608

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

84 % 5.0%

72.3%

1,200 – 1,390

$42,301

$46,802

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

83 % 7.8%

93.5%

1,060 – 1,340

$30,649

$53,568

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

80 % 1.0%

85.2%

1,050 – 1,240

$31,462

$70,643

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

79 % 3.9%

89.6%

940 – 1,290

$34,809

$46,936

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

78 %

86.8%

1,100 – 1,340

$27,491

$49,510

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

70 % 10.3%

74.9%

--

$42,195

$24,101

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89 %
0.3%

87 %
0.7%

86 %
5.0%

84 %
5.0%

83 %
7.8%

80 %
1.0%

79 %
3.9%

70 %
10.3%