2026 College Rankings

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

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Southern Intercollegiate 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	Morehouse College	87	43.96	970 – 1,210	36292	38267	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Morehouse College Atlanta, GA A men’s HBCU, alumni of Morehouse College include Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, and Samuel L. Jackson. It’s highly selective and about 27% of accepted students enroll....Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 44.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $36,292 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,267
2	Tuskegee University	81	48.68	970 – 1,210	24344	38332	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL Tuskegee University, a historically black college or university, is the only HBCU to have a fully accredited College of Veterinary Medicine, and the school's most popular major is Veterinary Medicine. 61% of students receive institutional grant aid—$16,781 on average....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 11.0% Acceptance Rate 48.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $24,344 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,332
3	Albany State University	79	73.02	780 – 930	11484	35579	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Albany State University Albany, GA Found in Albany, Albany State University accepts 73% of applicants. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 15% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 73.0% SAT Score 780 – 930 Avg. Net Price $11,484 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,579
4	Fort Valley State University	79	65.87	950 – 1,100	10047	28649	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GA Found in Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University accepted 66% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and $20 for graduate applications. Approximately 24% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 8.2% Acceptance Rate 65.9% SAT Score 950 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $10,047 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $28,649
5	Savannah State University	75	46.14	850 – 1,000	7956	27494	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Savannah State University Savannah, GA Based in Savannah, Savannah State University’s acceptance rate is 46% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. About 29% of students attending Savannah State University will receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 75% and around 16% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 7.1% Acceptance Rate 46.1% SAT Score 850 – 1,000 Avg. Net Price $7,956 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,494
6	Clark Atlanta University	71	64.22	890 – 1,090	31223	28097	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA Clark Atlanta University was the first HBCU in the Southern United States. Originally called Atlanta University when it opened in 1865, it was founded by two former slaves. It received its current name when it merged with Clark College in 1988. CAU is fairly selective. First Year Retention Rate 71 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 64.2% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $31,223 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $28,097
7	Spring Hill College	70	76.57	930 – 1,340	22858	41358	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Spring Hill College Mobile, AL Found in Mobile, Spring Hill College’s acceptance rate is 77% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 97% of students at Spring Hill College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 6.1% Acceptance Rate 76.6% SAT Score 930 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $22,858 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,358
8	Kentucky State University	64	96.08	800 – 930	9397	29640	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY Based in Frankfort, Kentucky State University accepts 96% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 63% of students attending Kentucky State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 4.9% Acceptance Rate 96.1% SAT Score 800 – 930 Avg. Net Price $9,397 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,640
9	Benedict College	57	95.7	820 – 1,010	18665	24908	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Benedict College Columbia, SC Based in Columbia, Benedict College’s acceptance rate is 96% and requires $25 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. About 57% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 57 % 12.3% Acceptance Rate 95.7% SAT Score 820 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $18,665 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,908
10	Central State University	56	98.61	800 – 970	11398	27173	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Central State University Wilberforce, OH Based in Wilberforce, Central State University accepts 99% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 91% of students at Central State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 56 % 9.8% Acceptance Rate 98.6% SAT Score 800 – 970 Avg. Net Price $11,398 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,173
11	Miles College	56	0	--	11064	25822	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Miles College Fairfield, AL First Year Retention Rate 56 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,064 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,822
12	Edward Waters University	54	84.95	820 – 990	12029	29809	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Edward Waters University Jacksonville, FL Located in Jacksonville, Edward Waters University accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. About 75% of students at Edward Waters University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Edward Waters......Read more First Year Retention Rate 54 % 1.9% Acceptance Rate 85.0% SAT Score 820 – 990 Avg. Net Price $12,029 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,809
13	Le Moyne-Owen College	47	99.23	780 – 950	6542	25992	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Le Moyne-Owen College Memphis, TN Based in Memphis, Le Moyne-Owen College’s acceptance rate is 99% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 28% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. 47% of students continued studying at Le Moyne-Owen College after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 47 % 21.7% Acceptance Rate 99.2% SAT Score 780 – 950 Avg. Net Price $6,542 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,992
14	Allen University	45	72.54	--	11182	23889	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Allen University Columbia, SC Located in Columbia, Allen University’s acceptance rate is 73%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 79% of students attending Allen University currently receive grant aid from the school. At Allen University, there is a 45% first year retention rate and 77% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 45 % 50.0% Acceptance Rate 72.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,182 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $23,889
15	Lane College	44	48.47	800 – 930	11803	24623	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Lane College Jackson, TN Based in Jackson, Lane College’s acceptance rate is 48% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 38% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 44 % 2.2% Acceptance Rate 48.5% SAT Score 800 – 930 Avg. Net Price $11,803 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,623