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	College of the Ozarks	90	11.99	1,050 – 1,220	11637	36507	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO Thanks to a student work program and donations, students don’t have to pay tuition to attend the College of the Ozarks. It has a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 90% first year retention rate. CofO is extremely selective and out of those accepted, 81% decided to attend. First Year Retention Rate 90 % Acceptance Rate 12.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $11,637 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,507
2	Oklahoma City University	84	77.02	1,070 – 1,280	24051	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 77% 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 84 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 77.0% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $24,051 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,312
3	John Brown University	81	76.14	1,080 – 1,320	21537	46114	#3 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 somewhat selective school, 31% of those accepted decided to enroll. It offers up to Master's degrees, and popular programs include andConstruction Management. First Year Retention Rate 81 % 3.6% Acceptance Rate 76.1% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $21,537 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,114
4	Nelson University	75	89.02	890 – 1,090	22359	37425	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Nelson University Waxahachie, TX Found in Waxahachie, Nelson University’s acceptance rate is 89%. They charge $35 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. Approximately 87% of students at Nelson University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Nelson University, there is a 75% first year retention rate and around 19% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 7.4% Acceptance Rate 89.0% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $22,359 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,425
5	University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma	66	65.82	1,080 – 1,250	8070	35520	#5 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 66% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 54% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. At the University of Science and Arts of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 7.0% Acceptance Rate 65.8% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $8,070 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,520
6	Mid-America Christian University	65	91.76	930 – 1,010	17585	39265	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Mid-America Christian University Oklahoma City, OK Based in Oklahoma City, Mid-America Christian University accepted 92% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 73% of students attending Mid-America Christian University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 7.1% Acceptance Rate 91.8% SAT Score 930 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $17,585 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,265
7	University of North Texas at Dallas	65	84.45	850 – 1,100	7586	51716	#7 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 84% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 88% 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 65% and its four year graduation......Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 7.1% Acceptance Rate 84.5% SAT Score 850 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $7,586 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,716
8	Texas Wesleyan University	61	69.16	1,020 – 1,100	26416	44773	#8 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 69% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 99% of students at Texas Wesleyan University will receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 61% and around 22%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % 3.2% Acceptance Rate 69.2% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $26,416 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,773
9	Southwestern Christian University	58	62.06	900 – 1,050	20528	34574	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Southwestern Christian University Bethany, OK Based in Bethany, Southwestern Christian University accepts 62% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 98% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % 16.0% Acceptance Rate 62.1% SAT Score 900 – 1,050 Avg. Net Price $20,528 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,574
10	Oklahoma Panhandle State University	56	68.3	890 – 1,080	7326	39089	#10 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 68% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 66% of students attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 56 % 19.1% Acceptance Rate 68.3% SAT Score 890 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $7,326 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,089
11	Langston University	54	0	--	10496	29691	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Langston University Langston, OK First Year Retention Rate 54 % 8.5% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $10,496 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,691
12	Louisiana Christian University	52	77.19	980 – 1,150	17011	40615	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Louisiana Christian University Pineville, LA Located in Pineville, Louisiana Christian University accepted 77% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 71% of students at Louisiana Christian University currently receive institutional grant aid. 52% of students decide to stay at Louisiana......Read more First Year Retention Rate 52 % 14.8% Acceptance Rate 77.2% SAT Score 980 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $17,011 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,615
13	Central Christian College of Kansas	45	52.71	920 – 1,120	12143	37685	#13 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 53% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 86% of students attending Central Christian College of Kansas will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 45 % 23.7% Acceptance Rate 52.7% SAT Score 920 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $12,143 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,685
14	Wayland Baptist University	45	55.96	900 – 1,120	20446	44159	#14 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 74% of students at Wayland Baptist University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 45%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 45 % 6.3% Acceptance Rate 56.0% SAT Score 900 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $20,446 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,159
15	Texas College	34	0	--	10958	27901	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sooner Athletic Conference Texas College Tyler, TX First Year Retention Rate 34 % 43.3% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $10,958 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,901