2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United 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	Abilene Christian University	81	66.03	1,090 – 1,290	28760	46727	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX Located in Abilene, Abilene Christian University accepts 66% of applicants. They request $50 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 66.0% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $28,760 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,727
2	University of North Alabama	80	87.31	1,040 – 1,240	11745	38295	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference University of North Alabama Florence, AL Based in Florence, the University of North Alabama 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 90% of students at the University of North Alabama will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 87.3% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $11,745 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,295
3	Southern Utah University	76	81.79	1,040 – 1,240	11840	41147	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT Found in Cedar City, Southern Utah University accepts 82% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 89% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 81.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $11,840 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,147
4	University of Central Arkansas	73	89.49	1,010 – 1,210	16546	36670	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR Found in Conway, the University of Central Arkansas accepts 89% of applicants. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 72% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 89.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,546 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,670
5	Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online	48	100	--	23684	46727	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online Addison, TX Found in Addison, Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online accepts 100% of applicants. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 50% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 48 % 20.0% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $23,684 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,727

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference

Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene, TX

81 % 1.3%

66.0%

1,090 – 1,290

$28,760

$46,727

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference

University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL

80 % 2.6%

87.3%

1,040 – 1,240

$11,745

$38,295

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference

Southern Utah UniversityCedar City, UT

76 %

81.8%

1,040 – 1,240

$11,840

$41,147

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference

University of Central ArkansasConway, AR

73 %

89.5%

1,010 – 1,210

$16,546

$36,670

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – United Athletic Conference

Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate OnlineAddison, TX

48 % 20.0%

100.0%

--

$23,684

$46,727

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Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

81 %
1.3%

University of North Alabama
Florence, AL

80 %
2.6%

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR

Abilene Christian University-Undergraduate Online
Addison, TX

48 %
20.0%