2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference

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USA South 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	Meredith College	79.4	74.18	1,130 – 1,350	23405	45293	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Meredith College Raleigh, NC Meredith College is a private women’s liberal arts school, but its graduate program does admit men. It offers 42 majors and programs, with many choosing to study Biology/Biological Sciences, General. Athletes are known as the Avenging Angels, and they participate in the USA South Athletic Conference. First Year Retention Rate 79 % 2.0% Acceptance Rate 74.2% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $23,405 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,293
2	William Peace University	74	94.25	1,100 – 1,240	24503	39738	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference William Peace University Raleigh, NC Found in Raleigh, William Peace University accepts 94% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % 21.3% Acceptance Rate 94.3% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $24,503 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,738
3	Piedmont University	70	93.28	1,020 – 1,240	21599	43761	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Piedmont University Demorest, GA Found in Demorest, Piedmont University accepted 93% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students at Piedmont University will receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 70%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 9.1% Acceptance Rate 93.3% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $21,599 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,761
4	Belhaven University	69	53.25	980 – 1,150	22145	38987	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Belhaven University Jackson, MS Located in Jackson, Belhaven University accepted 53% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 38% of students at Belhaven University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 53.3% SAT Score 980 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $22,145 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,987
5	Salem College	68	78.9	980 – 1,180	19000	38496	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Salem College Winston-Salem, NC Found in Winston-Salem, Salem College accepts 79% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is 68% and 66% of students will graduate in......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 78.9% SAT Score 980 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,000 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,496
6	Huntingdon College	67	67.93	1,010 – 1,200	22642	42147	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL Based in Montgomery, Huntingdon College accepts 68% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students attending Huntingdon College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 0.4% Acceptance Rate 67.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $22,642 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,147
7	Pfeiffer University	67	91.26	800 – 1,080	21402	44621	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC Located in Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University’s acceptance rate is 91%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. 67% of students continued their studies at Pfeiffer University after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % Acceptance Rate 91.3% SAT Score 800 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $21,402 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,621
8	Greensboro College	66	70.14	900 – 1,110	19783	36462	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Greensboro College Greensboro, NC Found in Greensboro, Greensboro College accepts 70% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 98% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 20.9% Acceptance Rate 70.1% SAT Score 900 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $19,783 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,462
9	Mary Baldwin University	65	94.7	980 – 1,220	18838	39075	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Mary Baldwin University Staunton, VA Found in Staunton, Mary Baldwin University accepted 95% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 97% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % Acceptance Rate 94.7% SAT Score 980 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,838 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,075
10	North Carolina Wesleyan University	65	77.95	860 – 1,100	19111	38939	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC Found in Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan University accepts 78% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of students attending North Carolina Wesleyan University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % Acceptance Rate 78.0% SAT Score 860 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $19,111 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,939
11	Methodist University	62.07	75.2	1,100 – 1,250	25786	40540	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Methodist University Fayetteville, NC Located in Fayetteville, Methodist University accepted 75% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. About 99% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 62% of students decide to stay at......Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % Acceptance Rate 75.2% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $25,786 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,540
12	LaGrange College	60	58.05	1,000 – 1,150	24564	46599	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference LaGrange College Lagrange, GA Found in Lagrange, LaGrange College accepts 58% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of students attending LaGrange College will receive institutional grant aid. At LaGrange College, there is a 60% first year retention rate and around 39% of students will earn their degree......Read more First Year Retention Rate 60 % Acceptance Rate 58.1% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $24,564 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,599
13	Brevard College	59	39.46	940 – 1,130	26938	34401	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Brevard College Brevard, NC Found in Brevard, Brevard College accepts 39% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students attending Brevard College currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 39.5% SAT Score 940 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $26,938 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,401
14	Southern Virginia University	48	99.73	900 – 1,250	25440	36988	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Southern Virginia University Buena Vista, VA Located in Buena Vista, Southern Virginia University’s acceptance rate is 100%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 99% of students at Southern Virginia University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 48% and around 28% of students will graduate in four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 48 % Acceptance Rate 99.7% SAT Score 900 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $25,440 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,988