2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt 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	James Madison University	91.9	71.51	1,180 – 1,340	26317	57438	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Found in Harrisonburg, James Madison University accepts 72% of applicants and requires $70 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 80% of students at James Madison University currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 91% and 65% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 92 % 1.9% Acceptance Rate 71.5% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $26,317 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,438
2	Appalachian State University	84	90.14	1,040 – 1,280	14712	43663	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Appalachian State University Boone, NC Found in Boone, Appalachian State University accepted 90% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $65 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 45% of students at Appalachian State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 1.6% Acceptance Rate 90.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $14,712 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,663
3	Texas State University	80	89.08	990 – 1,210	15307	46716	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Texas State University San Marcos, TX Found in San Marcos, Texas State University accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $75 for undergraduate applications and $55 for graduate applications. About 41% of students attending Texas State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college......Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 89.1% SAT Score 990 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $15,307 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,716
4	Arkansas State University	78.06	79.59	970 – 1,180	13002	38944	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR Located in Jonesboro, Arkansas State University accepts 80% of applicants. They request $30 for undergraduate applications. About 87% of students attending Arkansas State University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 78% of students continued studying at Arkansas State University......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 0.4% Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,002 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,944
5	Georgia Southern University	78	87.89	990 – 1,140	16957	44423	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA Located in Statesboro, Georgia Southern University accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 27% of students attending Georgia Southern University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 87.9% SAT Score 990 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $16,957 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,423
6	Georgia State University	77.75	55.43	960 – 1,220	16390	37844	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Based in Atlanta, Georgia State University’s acceptance rate is 55%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 10% of students attending Georgia State University currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 77% and around 34%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.2% Acceptance Rate 55.4% SAT Score 960 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $16,390 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,844
7	Coastal Carolina University	77.4	75.27	1,060 – 1,230	14453	38070	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC Based in Conway, Coastal Carolina University’s acceptance rate is 75%. They request $45 for undergraduate applications and $45 for graduate applications. Approximately 58% of students attending Coastal Carolina University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Coastal Carolina......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 1.8% Acceptance Rate 75.3% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $14,453 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,070
8	Old Dominion University	77	90.36	1,120 – 1,290	16150	46732	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Found in Norfolk, Old Dominion University accepts 90% of applicants and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 75% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 0.0% Acceptance Rate 90.4% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $16,150 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,732
9	University of Louisiana at Lafayette	76	88.83	1,010 – 1,210	13443	42668	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LA Found in Lafayette, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 59% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 88.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $13,443 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,668
10	University of South Alabama	75.7	70.96	1,040 – 1,240	13613	41307	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference University of South Alabama Mobile, AL Located in Mobile, the University of South Alabama’s acceptance rate is 71% and requests $45 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 90% of students attending the University of South Alabama currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 71.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $13,613 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,307
11	University of Southern Mississippi	72.09	99.12	1,040 – 1,340	14050	37710	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS Based in Hattiesburg, the University of Southern Mississippi accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $45 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 70% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 2.3% Acceptance Rate 99.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $14,050 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,710
12	Marshall University	71.7	95.72	960 – 1,170	9734	39561	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Marshall University Huntington, WV Based in Huntington, Marshall University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $40 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 88% of students at Marshall University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 8.1% Acceptance Rate 95.7% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $9,734 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,561
13	University of Louisiana at Monroe	69.19	74.56	1,050 – 1,230	11160	40430	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA Located in Monroe, the University of Louisiana at Monroe accepted 75% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $20 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. Approximately 86% of students attending the University of Louisiana at Monroe currently receive institutional......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 74.6% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $11,160 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,430
14	Troy University	0	96.04	970 – 1,210	12504	39392	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Sun Belt Conference Troy University Troy, AL Found in Troy, Troy University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 59% of students at Troy University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 71% and 30% of students will graduate in......Read more First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 96.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $12,504 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,392