2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner 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	John Brown University	86.21	67.64	1,110 – 1,350	21464	46114	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR John Brown University sits on a 200-acre campus featuring the Cathedral of the Ozarks and the Windgate Visual Art Buildings. A fairly selective school, 36% of those accepted decided to enroll. It offers up to Master's degrees, and popular programs include andGeneral Studies. First Year Retention Rate 86 % Acceptance Rate 67.6% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $21,464 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,114
2	Oklahoma City University	77	70.39	1,140 – 1,240	23143	42312	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma City University has a 70% acceptance rate, and 99% of enrolled students receive institutional aid. On the field, the Stars wear blue and white and are cheered on by their mascot, a ram named Starsky. A NAIA Division I school, the average athletic scholarship is $8,577. First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 70.4% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $23,143 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,312
3	Southwestern Assemblies of God University	72	84.23	960 – 1,130	19834	37425	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Southwestern Assemblies of God University Waxahachie, TX Found in Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies of God University’s acceptance rate is 84%. They charge $35 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. Approximately 91% of students at Southwestern Assemblies of God University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Southwestern Assemblies of God......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 84.2% SAT Score 960 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $19,834 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,425
4	Texas College	70	42.6	--	10901	27901	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Texas College Tyler, TX Found in Tyler, Texas College accepted 43% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $20 to apply. Approximately 5% of students attending Texas College will receive grant aid from the school. 70% of students continued studying at Texas College after completing their first......Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 42.6% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $10,901 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,901
5	University of North Texas at Dallas	70	93.86	800 – 1,040	9109	51716	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference University of North Texas at Dallas Dallas, TX Found in Dallas, the University of North Texas at Dallas accepts 94% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 41% of students attending the University of North Texas at Dallas will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 70% and its four year graduation......Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 93.9% SAT Score 800 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $9,109 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,716
6	Central Christian College of Kansas	64	95.7	920 – 1,120	12217	37685	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Central Christian College of Kansas McPherson, KS Based in McPherson, Central Christian College of Kansas accepts 96% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 95% of students attending Central Christian College of Kansas will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % Acceptance Rate 95.7% SAT Score 920 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $12,217 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,685
7	Mid-America Christian University	60	0	--	16187	39265	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma City, OK First Year Retention Rate 60 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $16,187 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,265
8	Oklahoma Panhandle State University	59	97.07	890 – 1,080	5274	39089	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, OK Located in Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University accepts 97% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 74% of students attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 97.1% SAT Score 890 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $5,274 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,089
9	Louisiana Christian University	58.6	83.79	940 – 1,190	15470	40615	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Louisiana Christian University Pineville, LA Located in Pineville, Louisiana Christian University accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Louisiana Christian University currently receive institutional grant aid. 58% of students decide to stay at......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 83.8% SAT Score 940 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $15,470 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,615
10	Langston University	52	60.96	760 – 1,040	10589	29691	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Langston University Langston, OK Based in Langston, Langston University accepts 61% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. About 24% of students attending Langston University currently receive grant aid from the school. At Langston University, there is a 52% first year retention rate and a 11%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 52 % Acceptance Rate 61.0% SAT Score 760 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $10,589 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,691
11	University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma	52	55.77	930 – 1,140	8685	35520	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, OK Based in Chickasha, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma accepted 56% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $40 for undergraduate applications and . About 93% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. At the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma,......Read more First Year Retention Rate 52 % Acceptance Rate 55.8% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $8,685 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,520
12	Wayland Baptist University	44	55.96	840 – 1,010	20222	44159	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX Found in Plainview, Wayland Baptist University’s acceptance rate is 56%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications. About 82% of students at Wayland Baptist University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 44%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 44 % 7.4% Acceptance Rate 56.0% SAT Score 840 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $20,222 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,159
13	Texas Wesleyan University	41	62.39	970 – 1,120	21169	44773	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, TX Based in Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan University accepted 62% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 89% of students at Texas Wesleyan University will receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 41% and around 17%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 41 % Acceptance Rate 62.4% SAT Score 970 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $21,169 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,773
14	Southwestern Christian University	0	80.34	850 – 1,010	20714	34574	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Southwestern Christian University Bethany, OK First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 80.3% SAT Score 850 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $20,714 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,574