2027 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	89.23	40.16	1,320 – 1,500	37633	45594	#1 2027 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 10 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 % 0.6% Acceptance Rate 40.2% SAT Score 1,320 – 1,500 Avg. Net Price $37,633 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,594
2	University of Puget Sound	87.91	72.41	1,220 – 1,410	43188	46802	#2 2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA 99% of students attending the University of Puget Sound receive grant aid, averaging $35,179 each. 87% stay on after they finish their first year, and classes are small with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1. Business Administration and Management, General is a popular area of study. First Year Retention Rate 88 % 4.6% Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 1,220 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $43,188 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,802
3	Willamette University	87.65	77.38	1,240 – 1,450	29421	38932	#3 2027 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, 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 71% six year graduation rate. Willamette offers 32 programs, and many study Law, Business Administration and Management, and General. First Year Retention Rate 88 % 0.7% Acceptance Rate 77.4% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $29,421 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,932
4	George Fox University	84.37	92.82	1,010 – 1,360	32171	53568	#4 2027 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 84% 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 84 % 1.7% Acceptance Rate 92.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $32,171 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,568
5	Lewis & Clark College	82.99	71.18	1,260 – 1,400	37999	43608	#5 2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Lewis & Clark College Portland, OR Based in Portland, Lewis & Clark College accepts 71% 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 83 % 3.6% Acceptance Rate 71.2% SAT Score 1,260 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $37,999 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,608
6	Pacific Northwest College of Art	81.4	71.77	--	39710	24101	#6 2027 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 72% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% 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 81 % 17.1% Acceptance Rate 71.8% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $39,710 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,101
7	Pacific Lutheran University	80.47	86.6	1,050 – 1,270	22299	52212	#7 2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Pacific Lutheran University’s motto is “Education for Lives of Thoughtful Inquiry, Service, Leadership, and Care.” Many students study Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, and General. The school opened in 1894, where tuition was $1 per week....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 1.9% Acceptance Rate 86.6% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $22,299 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,212
8	Linfield University	79.7	85.17	1,050 – 1,240	29936	70643	#8 2027 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.” Elementary Education and Teaching is the most popular program by far....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % Acceptance Rate 85.2% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $29,936 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $70,643
9	Whitworth University	78	89.78	1,090 – 1,340	27605	49510	#9 2027 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, Biological and Physical Sciences, and Elementary Education and Teaching. 78% of students return after completing their first year, and 70% will graduate within 6 years. First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 89.8% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $27,605 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,510
10	Pacific University	76.29	89.86	860 – 1,180	35235	46936	#10 2027 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 76 % 3.4% Acceptance Rate 89.9% SAT Score 860 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $35,235 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,936

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

2027 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

About

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

89 % 0.6%

40.2%

1,320 – 1,500

$37,633

$45,594

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

88 % 4.6%

72.4%

1,220 – 1,410

$43,188

$46,802

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

88 % 0.7%

77.4%

1,240 – 1,450

$29,421

$38,932

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

84 % 1.7%

92.8%

1,010 – 1,360

$32,171

$53,568

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

83 % 3.6%

71.2%

1,260 – 1,400

$37,999

$43,608

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

81 % 17.1%

71.8%

--

$39,710

$24,101

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

80 % 1.9%

86.6%

1,050 – 1,270

$22,299

$52,212

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

80 %

85.2%

1,050 – 1,240

$29,936

$70,643

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

78 %

89.8%

1,090 – 1,340

$27,605

$49,510

2027 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Northwest Conference

76 % 3.4%

89.9%

860 – 1,180

$35,235

$46,936

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89 %
0.6%

88 %
4.6%

88 %
0.7%

84 %
1.7%

83 %
3.6%

81 %
17.1%

80 %
1.9%

76 %
3.4%