2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference

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Old Dominion Athletic 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	Washington and Lee University	96.61	13.97	1,450 – 1,530	24667	76516	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA Originally known as the Augusta Academy and established in 1749, it would later be named after George Washington and Robert E. Lee, the latter of which was the president of the school for five years....Read more First Year Retention Rate 97 % Acceptance Rate 14.0% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $24,667 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,516
2	Randolph-Macon College	84	86.61	990 – 1,230	29058	48067	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Randolph-Macon College Ashland, VA Randolph-Macon College was founded in 1830, making it the oldest Methodist-run college in continuous operation in the United States. Although the school offers up to Master's degrees, most students are undergraduates. Many opt to major in Business/Commerce, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Psychology, and General. First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 86.6% SAT Score 990 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $29,058 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,067
3	Hampden-Sydney College	83.3	40.92	1,080 – 1,280	29578	55846	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney, VA Hampden-Sydney College is the oldest privately-charted college in the south. This all-male school focuses heavily on tradition. The campus sprawls over 1,300 acres, with part of it named to the National Register of Historic Places. The most popular major currently at H-SC is Business/Managerial Economics. First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 40.9% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $29,578 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,846
4	Shenandoah University	82	76.95	990 – 1,270	26400	48167	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Shenandoah University Winchester, VA Found in Winchester, Shenandoah University’s acceptance rate is 77% and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Shenandoah University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Shenandoah University, there is a 82% first year retention rate and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 77.0% SAT Score 990 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $26,400 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,167
5	Roanoke College	78	80.07	1,100 – 1,290	27695	45330	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Roanoke College Salem, VA Found in Salem, Roanoke College accepted 80% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students attending Roanoke College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 6.1% Acceptance Rate 80.1% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $27,695 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,330
6	Sweet Briar College	77	71.74	1,100 – 1,310	25598	35533	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, VA Based in Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College accepted 72% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students attending Sweet Briar College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 0.0% Acceptance Rate 71.7% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $25,598 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,533
7	Eastern Mennonite University	75.94	100	1,140 – 1,540	24710	48158	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA Based in Harrisonburg, Eastern Mennonite University’s acceptance rate is 100%. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 95% of students attending Eastern Mennonite University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $24,710 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,158
8	Bridgewater College	75	91.72	1,020 – 1,360	19660	45620	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA Found in Bridgewater, Bridgewater College’s acceptance rate is 92%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 100% of students at Bridgewater College currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % Acceptance Rate 91.7% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $19,660 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,620
9	Randolph College	75	93.71	1,050 – 1,230	20856	39122	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Randolph College Lynchburg, VA Randolph College was an all women’s school for over 100 years, only becoming coeducational in 2007. It has an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. 100% receive institutional grants, with each package averaging $15,460. Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General is the most popular major. First Year Retention Rate 75 % Acceptance Rate 93.7% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $20,856 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,122
10	Hollins University	74	67.95	1,230 – 1,340	23444	29863	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Hollins University Roanoke, VA Located in Roanoke, Hollins University’s acceptance rate is 68% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. 74% of students continued their studies at Hollins University after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 68.0% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $23,444 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,863
11	Virginia Wesleyan University	74	72.87	1,190 – 1,390	21862	39200	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach, VA Found in Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan University accepted 73% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 98% of students at Virginia Wesleyan University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 72.9% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $21,862 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,200
12	University of Lynchburg	70.61	43.01	980 – 1,240	22921	44261	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, VA Found in Lynchburg, the University of Lynchburg accepts 43% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending the University of Lynchburg will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 43.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $22,921 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,261
13	Guilford College	66	83.76	990 – 1,250	22620	40401	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Guilford College Greensboro, NC Located in Greensboro, Guilford College accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Guilford College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 13.8% Acceptance Rate 83.8% SAT Score 990 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $22,620 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,401
14	Averett University	59	47.8	950 – 1,190	24091	46273	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Averett University Danville, VA Found in Danville, Averett University accepts 48% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 59% and 36% of students will graduate in four years. Registered Nursing/Registered......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % 5.4% Acceptance Rate 47.8% SAT Score 950 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $24,091 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,273
15	Ferrum College	59	100	880 – 1,100	22521	36418	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Old Dominion Athletic Conference Ferrum College Ferrum, VA Based in Ferrum, Ferrum College’s acceptance rate is 100% and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Ferrum College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % 3.5% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 880 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $22,521 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,418