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	Point Loma Nazarene University	86	83.68	1,190 – 1,400	39696	54811	#1 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 % Acceptance Rate 83.7% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $39,696 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,811
2	Dominican University of California	85	83.5	1,210 – 1,300	37456	71477	#2 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 85 % 3.4% Acceptance Rate 83.5% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $37,456 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,477
3	Westmont College	85	77.05	1,240 – 1,450	32172	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 % 2.3% Acceptance Rate 77.1% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $32,172 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,737
4	Azusa Pacific University	84	88.43	1,080 – 1,300	26143	56794	#4 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 84 % Acceptance Rate 88.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $26,143 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,794
5	Biola University	84	74.35	1,170 – 1,370	34082	45752	#5 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 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 74.4% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $34,082 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,752
6	William Jessup University	77	93.33	1,050 – 1,230	29679	43163	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference William Jessup University Rocklin, CA Based in Rocklin, William Jessup University’s acceptance rate is 93% and requests $60 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 98% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 93.3% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $29,679 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,163
7	Academy of Art University	75	0	--	36761	30452	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA First Year Retention Rate 75 % 11.9% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $36,761 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,452
8	Concordia University-Irvine	75	65.99	1,050 – 1,300	29845	53777	#8 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, Educational Leadership and Administration, and General....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 66.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $29,845 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,777
9	University of Hawaii at Hilo	73	60.63	880 – 1,130	12673	37204	#9 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 61%. They request $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 78% of students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year retention rate is 73% and 26% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 4.3% Acceptance Rate 60.6% SAT Score 880 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $12,673 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,204
10	Fresno Pacific University	72	64.07	970 – 1,230	15261	51422	#10 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 72 % 11.1% Acceptance Rate 64.1% SAT Score 970 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $15,261 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,422
11	Chaminade University of Honolulu	70	91.43	970 – 1,250	28261	48660	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HI Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 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 70 % 5.4% Acceptance Rate 91.4% SAT Score 970 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $28,261 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,660
12	Menlo College	70	68.47	940 – 1,150	32563	60608	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Menlo College Atherton, CA Based in Atherton, Menlo College accepted 68% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 99% of students attending Menlo College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 68.5% SAT Score 940 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $32,563 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,608
13	Vanguard University of Southern California	70	62.44	990 – 1,210	23286	43464	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Pacific West Conference Vanguard University of Southern California Costa Mesa, CA 100% of students at Vanguard University of Southern California receive grant aid, with each student package averaging $29,847. Many choose to study Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General. Vanguard’s motto is “Truth. Virtue. Service.” First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 62.4% SAT Score 990 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $23,286 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,464
14	Hawaii Pacific University	56	85.87	1,010 – 1,230	30950	48773	#14 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 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. At Hawaii Pacific University, there is a 56% first year retention rate and around 38% of undergraduates will earn their degree......Read more First Year Retention Rate 56 % 1.8% Acceptance Rate 85.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $30,950 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,773