2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West 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	Dominican University of California	86.13	83.92	1,170 – 1,280	51292	71477	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA Founded in 1890, the Dominican University of California is one of the oldest universities in California. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other is the most popular area of study. 99% of students receive institutional grants from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 3.2% Acceptance Rate 83.9% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $51,292 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,477
2	Point Loma Nazarene University	85.5	83.67	1,200 – 1,400	36370	54811	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA Point Loma Nazarene University was founded in 1902 as the Pacific Bible College, and underwent several name changes before arriving at its current moniker in 1998. There are currently 231 athletes and PLNU competes in the Pacific West Conference. First Year Retention Rate 86 % 0.7% Acceptance Rate 83.7% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $36,370 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,811
3	Westmont College	85.3	77.04	1,230 – 1,430	36412	53737	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA Founded in 1937, Westmont College’s motto is Christus Primatum Tenens, which is Latin for “Christ Holding Preeminence.” The school was initially the Bible Missionary Institute but it became Westmont College only three years later. Student athletes are known as the Warriors and wear maroon, gold, and white....Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 77.0% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $36,412 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,737
4	Biola University	83.7	74.82	1,170 – 1,370	30510	45752	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Biola University La Mirada, CA Since 2017, Biola University has competed primarily in the Pacific West Conference. Athletes are known as the Eagles, and wear red, white, and black. Some popular sports include Basketball, Soccer, and Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 1.6% Acceptance Rate 74.8% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $30,510 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,752
5	Fresno Pacific University	83	57.52	970 – 1,180	15668	51422	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA Fresno Pacific University started as the Pacific Bible Institute in 1944, where courses were taught in a home. It became a university in 1997. FPU offers a four-year graduation guarantee – if students meet their responsibilities but need longer than four years, they can take the remaining necessary courses at no cost. First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 57.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,668 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,422
6	Azusa Pacific University	82.8	79.59	990 – 1,300	26117	56794	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA Azusa Pacific University is a private Christian school located just northeast of Los Angeles. Opened in 1899, it was originally called the Training School for Christian Workers. Over the next few decades, it merged with other colleges and received its current moniker in 1981....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 990 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $26,117 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,794
7	Academy of Art University	75	100	--	36591	30452	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA Based in San Francisco, Academy of Art University accepts 100% of applicants and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 46% of students attending Academy of Art University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 11.9% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $36,591 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,452
8	University of Hawaii at Hilo	72.75	60.07	880 – 1,130	12936	37204	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HI Based in Hilo, the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s acceptance rate is 60%. They request $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 57% of students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 72% and 27% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 10.1% Acceptance Rate 60.1% SAT Score 880 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $12,936 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,204
9	Concordia University-Irvine	69.5	59.86	1,050 – 1,300	29413	53777	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Concordia University-Irvine Irvine, CA Concordia University, Irvine is a private school affiliated with the Lutheran Church. It currently has more graduates than undergraduates attending, and two popular majors include Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, and Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 59.9% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $29,413 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,777
10	Hawaii Pacific University	56	85.87	1,010 – 1,230	32204	48773	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI Located in Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University’s acceptance rate is 86%. They request $45 for undergraduate applications. About 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. At Hawaii Pacific University, there is a 56% first year retention rate and around 31% of undergraduates will earn their degree within......Read more First Year Retention Rate 56 % 1.8% Acceptance Rate 85.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $32,204 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,773
11	Chaminade University of Honolulu	40.12	51.87	970 – 1,140	27695	48660	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HI Business Administration and Management, General is a popular program at the Chaminade University of Honolulu, which offers up to Doctor's degrees. This Roman Catholic school was founded by the Society of Mary in 1955. 201 athletes, known as Silverswords, compete in the Pacific West Conference. First Year Retention Rate 40 % 45.8% Acceptance Rate 51.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $27,695 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,660

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 – Pacific West Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

86 % 3.2%

83.9%

1,170 – 1,280

$51,292

$71,477

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

86 % 0.7%

83.7%

1,200 – 1,400

$36,370

$54,811

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

85 % 1.0%

77.0%

1,230 – 1,430

$36,412

$53,737

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

84 % 1.6%

74.8%

1,170 – 1,370

$30,510

$45,752

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

83 %

57.5%

970 – 1,180

$15,668

$51,422

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

83 %

79.6%

990 – 1,300

$26,117

$56,794

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

75 % 11.9%

100.0%

--

$36,591

$30,452

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

73 % 10.1%

60.1%

880 – 1,130

$12,936

$37,204

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

70 %

59.9%

1,050 – 1,300

$29,413

$53,777

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

56 % 1.8%

85.9%

1,010 – 1,230

$32,204

$48,773

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference

40 % 45.8%

51.9%

970 – 1,140

$27,695

$48,660

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86 %
3.2%

86 %
0.7%

85 %
1.0%

84 %
1.6%

75 %
11.9%

73 %
10.1%

56 %
1.8%

40 %
45.8%