2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

Home
College Rankings
First Year Retention Rate
Conference
Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference

About

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.

Sort by:

View as:

Rank	Institution	First Year Retention Rate	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Colorado College	93.6	18.47	1,270 – 1,460	35281	47611	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO Scientia et Disciplina is the Latin motto of Colorado College which means “Learning through Hard Work.” It’s an extremely selective school – 30% of accepted students enroll. With over 80 undergraduate majors available, Political Science and Government, General is a common option. First Year Retention Rate 94 % Acceptance Rate 18.5% SAT Score 1,270 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $35,281 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,611
2	Hendrix College	79.9	55.63	1,140 – 1,400	24236	39913	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Hendrix College Conway, AR Most students at Hendrix College are undergraduates, but it awards up to Master's degrees. The school gives 100% of students institutional grant aid, with each package averaging $25,518. There are 27 majors and programs available, with many choosing to study Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. First Year Retention Rate 80 % Acceptance Rate 55.6% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $24,236 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,913
3	University of St Thomas	78	89.93	960 – 1,200	20469	49971	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference University of St Thomas Houston, TX The University of St. Thomas’s motto is “Crescamus in Christo” – “Let us grow in Christ.” A Catholic school that opened in 1947, it was named after St. Thomas Aquinas. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most popular undergraduate major by far. UST also has a satellite campus in Conroe, Texas. First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 89.9% SAT Score 960 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $20,469 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,971
4	University of Dallas	77	53.44	1,120 – 1,360	31221	45950	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference University of Dallas Irving, TX “Veritatem, Justitiam Diligite” is the motto of the University of Dallas, which translates to “Love Ye Truth and Justice.” The Crusaders compete in the NCAA Division III without football Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. Popular sports include Basketball, Soccer, and Baseball. First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 53.4% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $31,221 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,950
5	Centenary College of Louisiana	70	55.74	1,050 – 1,210	25427	42821	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Centenary College of Louisiana Shreveport, LA The Centenary College of Louisiana is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi, having been founded in 1885. Students can benefit from a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and the 65-acre campus that is home to more than 300 species of plant life. Many students major in Biology/Biological Sciences, General. First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 55.7% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $25,427 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,821
6	University of the Ozarks	68.62	59.51	1,040 – 1,200	16651	37651	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference University of the Ozarks Clarksville, AR Based in Clarksville, the University of the Ozarks accepts 60% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending the University of the Ozarks will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 59.5% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $16,651 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,651
7	Lyon College	68	65.54	1,080 – 1,240	22675	37629	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Lyon College Batesville, AR Found in Batesville, Lyon College accepts 66% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Lyon College currently receive institutional grant aid. At Lyon College, there is a 68% first year retention rate and a 37% four year graduation rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 65.5% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $22,675 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,629
8	Schreiner University	66.31	85.3	820 – 1,050	21786	45527	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Schreiner University Kerrville, TX Found in Kerrville, Schreiner University accepts 85% of applicants. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Schreiner University will receive institutional grant aid. At Schreiner University, there is a 66% first year retention rate and a 42% four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 7.0% Acceptance Rate 85.3% SAT Score 820 – 1,050 Avg. Net Price $21,786 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,527
9	McMurry University	64	57.04	960 – 1,170	20817	38647	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference McMurry University Abilene, TX Found in Abilene, McMurry University accepts 57% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 96% of students at McMurry University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 64%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % Acceptance Rate 57.0% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $20,817 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,647
10	Concordia University Texas	63	91.06	860 – 1,120	23621	48058	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Concordia University Texas Austin, TX Located in Austin, Concordia University Texas accepted 91% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 99% of students attending Concordia University Texas currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending......Read more First Year Retention Rate 63 % Acceptance Rate 91.1% SAT Score 860 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $23,621 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,058
11	Texas Lutheran University	62	95.71	1,040 – 1,240	23600	48125	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Texas Lutheran University Seguin, TX Located in Seguin, Texas Lutheran University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of students at Texas Lutheran University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % Acceptance Rate 95.7% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $23,600 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,125