2026 College Rankings

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

Home
College Rankings
First Year Retention Rate
Conference
USA South 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	Meredith College	79	74.18	1,130 – 1,350	24323	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 38 majors and programs, with many choosing to study Psychology, General. Athletes are known as the Avenging Angels, and they participate in the USA South Athletic Conference. First Year Retention Rate 79 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 74.2% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $24,323 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,293
2	Southern Virginia University	74	96.42	970 – 1,220	24561	36988	#2 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 96%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Southern Virginia University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 74% and around 28% of students will graduate in four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % 9.8% Acceptance Rate 96.4% SAT Score 970 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $24,561 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,988
3	William Peace University	74	94.25	1,100 – 1,260	24216	39738	#3 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 $50 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 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $24,216 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,738
4	Pfeiffer University	72	96.03	800 – 1,080	19660	44621	#4 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 96%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 100% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. 72% of students continued their studies at Pfeiffer University after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 5.9% Acceptance Rate 96.0% SAT Score 800 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $19,660 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,621
5	Belhaven University	68	49.75	1,010 – 1,200	16299	38987	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Belhaven University Jackson, MS Located in Jackson, Belhaven University accepted 50% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $25 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 75% of students at Belhaven University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 49.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $16,299 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,987
6	Salem College	68	76.67	980 – 1,180	18668	38496	#6 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 77% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is 68% and 60% of students will graduate in......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 76.7% SAT Score 980 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $18,668 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,496
7	Huntingdon College	67	69.49	1,040 – 1,220	23055	42147	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL Based in Montgomery, Huntingdon College accepts 69% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 99% of students attending Huntingdon College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % Acceptance Rate 69.5% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $23,055 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,147
8	LaGrange College	67	62.09	1,000 – 1,150	21139	46599	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference LaGrange College Lagrange, GA Found in Lagrange, LaGrange College accepts 62% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 99% of students attending LaGrange College will receive institutional grant aid. At LaGrange College, there is a 67% first year retention rate and around 45% of students will earn their degree......Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 11.7% Acceptance Rate 62.1% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $21,139 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,599
9	Mary Baldwin University	67	87.1	950 – 1,140	17810	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 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 94% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 9.8% Acceptance Rate 87.1% SAT Score 950 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $17,810 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,075
10	Greensboro College	66	70.14	900 – 1,110	18730	36462	#10 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 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 70.1% SAT Score 900 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $18,730 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,462
11	Methodist University	65	75.14	1,100 – 1,270	26334	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 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 65% of students decide to stay at......Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % Acceptance Rate 75.1% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $26,334 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,540
12	Brevard College	62	42.16	890 – 1,240	26930	34401	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – USA South Athletic Conference Brevard College Brevard, NC Found in Brevard, Brevard College accepts 42% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 98% of students attending Brevard College currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % 6.1% Acceptance Rate 42.2% SAT Score 890 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $26,930 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,401
13	North Carolina Wesleyan University	59	80.23	860 – 1,100	18472	38939	#13 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 80% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 54% of students attending North Carolina Wesleyan University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % 9.2% Acceptance Rate 80.2% SAT Score 860 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $18,472 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,939