2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley 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	Tennessee Technological University	77	83.16	1,040 – 1,280	15138	43759	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Located in Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University’s acceptance rate is 83%. Undergraduates have to pay $25 to apply. Approximately 70% of students at Tennessee Technological University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 83.2% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $15,138 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,759
2	The University of Tennessee-Martin	76.96	88.2	1,010 – 1,210	11151	38863	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Based in Martin, The University of Tennessee-Martin accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 78% of students attending The University of Tennessee-Martin currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 4.9% Acceptance Rate 88.2% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $11,151 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,863
3	Southeast Missouri State University	76	68.97	970 – 1,190	14843	38150	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO Southeast Missouri State University is fairly selective. A NCAA Division I-FCS school, athletes may receive athletic scholarships. On average, each athlete receives $11,447. The main campus is known as “River Campus,” as Southeast also has regional campuses throughout the area, shared with Three Rivers Community College. First Year Retention Rate 76 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 69.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $14,843 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,150
4	University of Southern Indiana	75	95.81	1,040 – 1,250	14066	42323	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference University of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN Based in Evansville, the University of Southern Indiana accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 94% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 75%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 8.7% Acceptance Rate 95.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $14,066 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,323
5	Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville	74	97.21	930 – 1,160	15182	46384	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville received 8,900 applications during the last admissions cycle. Many students major in Business Administration and Management, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 97.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $15,182 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,384
6	Eastern Illinois University	71.32	65.35	910 – 1,130	14621	42694	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Based in Charleston, Eastern Illinois University accepts 65% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $30 for graduate applications. Approximately 90% of students at Eastern Illinois University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 1.9% Acceptance Rate 65.4% SAT Score 910 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $14,621 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,694
7	Lindenwood University	65.63	56.84	1,070 – 1,270	18698	45711	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO Lindenwood University has a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and many students enroll in the Business/Commerce, General program. The school’s campus overlooks the Missouri River and downtown. 678 Lions compete in the NCAA Division I-FCS Ohio Valley Conference. Popular sports include Football, Ice Hockey, and Basketball. First Year Retention Rate 66 % 10.2% Acceptance Rate 56.8% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $18,698 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,711
8	University of Arkansas at Little Rock	65.48	57.74	1,010 – 1,220	11225	40040	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR Based in Little Rock, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock accepted 58% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 60% of students attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % Acceptance Rate 57.7% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $11,225 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,040
9	Tennessee State University	33.5	70.18	890 – 1,070	9231	34160	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference Tennessee State University Nashville, TN Found in Nashville, Tennessee State University accepted 70% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. About 64% of students attending Tennessee State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 33%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 34 % 44.2% Acceptance Rate 70.2% SAT Score 890 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $9,231 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,160

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 – Ohio Valley Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

77 %

83.2%

1,040 – 1,280

$15,138

$43,759

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

77 % 4.9%

88.2%

1,010 – 1,210

$11,151

$38,863

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

76 % 1.3%

69.0%

970 – 1,190

$14,843

$38,150

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

75 % 8.7%

95.8%

1,040 – 1,250

$14,066

$42,323

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

74 %

97.2%

930 – 1,160

$15,182

$46,384

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

71 % 1.9%

65.4%

910 – 1,130

$14,621

$42,694

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

66 % 10.2%

56.8%

1,070 – 1,270

$18,698

$45,711

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

65 %

57.7%

1,010 – 1,220

$11,225

$40,040

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Ohio Valley Conference

34 % 44.2%

70.2%

890 – 1,070

$9,231

$34,160

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77 %
4.9%

76 %
1.3%

75 %
8.7%

71 %
1.9%

66 %
10.2%

34 %
44.2%