2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

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Rocky Mountain 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	Colorado School of Mines	93	60.69	1,330 – 1,480	29925	82950	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO The programs offered at Colorado School of Mines are all focused on energy and environment, so all available majors are in STEM fields. The Orediggers are led on by their mascots Marvin the Miner and Blaster the Burro....Read more First Year Retention Rate 93 % Acceptance Rate 60.7% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $29,925 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $82,950
2	Colorado Christian University	84	97.64	1,010 – 1,210	30940	41623	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Colorado Christian University Lakewood, CO Colorado Christian University has a first year retention rate - 84%%. Unlike many schools who use Latin in their mottos, CCU takes inspiration from the Greeks. “χαρις και αληθεια” translates to mean “Grace and Truth.” Mental Health Counseling/Counselor is a popular area of study. First Year Retention Rate 84 % 6.3% Acceptance Rate 97.6% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $30,940 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,623
3	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	84	79.87	1,170 – 1,370	20267	62863	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD Located in Rapid City, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology accepted 80% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $20 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. About 75% of students attending South Dakota School of Mines and Technology currently receive......Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 79.9% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $20,267 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,863
4	Colorado Mesa University	79	82.03	940 – 1,170	15590	39223	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO Located in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University accepted 82% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $40 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 57% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 5.3% Acceptance Rate 82.0% SAT Score 940 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $15,590 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,223
5	Westminster University	76	66.57	1,130 – 1,340	26844	52994	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Westminster University Salt Lake City, UT Westminster College became Westminster University in 2023. Over 50 Olympians have studied at the school. During the 2014 Olympics, 23 Westminster students were part of Team USA – 18 in 2018. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most sought after program at the school. First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 66.6% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $26,844 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,994
6	Black Hills State University	72	96.33	970 – 1,180	15576	38927	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Black Hills State University Spearfish, SD Based in Spearfish, Black Hills State University’s acceptance rate is 96%. They request $20 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 55% of students at Black Hills State University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 96.3% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,576 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,927
7	Western Colorado University	72	99.71	1,150 – 1,310	17711	40037	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Western Colorado University Gunnison, CO Western Colorado University’s motto is “Potestas ad Ministrandum,” which is Latin for “The Power to Serve.” 420 student athletes, known as the Mountaineers, compete in the NCAA Division II with football Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Biology/Biological Sciences, General is a popular undergraduate major. First Year Retention Rate 72 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 99.7% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $17,711 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,037
8	Regis University	71	86.46	1,110 – 1,340	21618	64557	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Regis University Denver, CO Regis University was originally in Las Vegas, Nevada, when it opened in 1877, with the apt name of Las Vegas College. It moved only 10 years later, and received its current name in 1991....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 5.3% Acceptance Rate 86.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $21,618 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,557
9	University of Colorado Colorado Springs	68	97.35	1,020 – 1,230	16942	45766	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO Located in Colorado Springs, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs accepted 97% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $50 to apply. Approximately 73% of students at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs currently receive institutional grant aid to make......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 97.4% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $16,942 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,766
10	Fort Lewis College	66	77.3	990 – 1,230	17114	36352	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Fort Lewis College Durango, CO Found in Durango, Fort Lewis College accepts 77% of applicants and charges $40 for undergraduate applications. About 61% of students attending Fort Lewis College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 77.3% SAT Score 990 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $17,114 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,352
11	Colorado State University Pueblo	64	94.9	1,010 – 1,240	13079	43053	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO Found in Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo’s acceptance rate is 95%. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. Approximately 83% of students at Colorado State University Pueblo will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 94.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $13,079 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,053
12	Chadron State College	63	0	--	13292	39139	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Chadron State College Chadron, NE First Year Retention Rate 63 % 10.0% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,292 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,139
13	Metropolitan State University of Denver	63	98.8	890 – 1,140	14584	45391	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Based in Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver’s acceptance rate is 99%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. About 38% of students attending Metropolitan State University of Denver will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % 10.0% Acceptance Rate 98.8% SAT Score 890 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $14,584 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,391
14	Adams State University	51	99.18	890 – 1,170	13340	38338	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Adams State University Alamosa, CO Found in Alamosa, Adams State University accepts 99% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 82% of students attending Adams State University will receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 51% and 21% of students will earn their degree in four years. Many......Read more First Year Retention Rate 51 % 7.3% Acceptance Rate 99.2% SAT Score 890 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $13,340 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,338
15	New Mexico Highlands University	50	0	--	11062	38952	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference New Mexico Highlands University Las Vegas, NM First Year Retention Rate 50 % 12.3% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,062 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,952