2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western 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	Seattle University	84.22	77.03	1,150 – 1,370	37103	64656	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference Seattle University Seattle, WA Based in Seattle, Seattle University accepted 77% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $60 for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students attending Seattle University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 0.4% Acceptance Rate 77.0% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $37,103 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,656
2	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	81	94.01	870 – 1,090	6978	35812	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX Found in Edinburg, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s acceptance rate is 94%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 52% of students at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley currently receive grant aid from the school. 81% of students continued studying......Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 94.0% SAT Score 870 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $6,978 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,812
3	Southern Utah University	76	81.79	1,040 – 1,240	12375	41147	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western 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 85% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 81.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $12,375 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,147
4	California Baptist University	74.5	85.35	930 – 1,210	28596	52336	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference California Baptist University Riverside, CA Located in Riverside, California Baptist University accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending California Baptist University currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 2.1% Acceptance Rate 85.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $28,596 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,336
5	Stephen F Austin State University	71.7	74.45	970 – 1,150	15498	43144	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX Based in Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University’s acceptance rate is 74%. They request $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 70% of students attending Stephen F Austin State University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 71%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 0.6% Acceptance Rate 74.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $15,498 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,144
6	Tarleton State University	71.54	52.56	--	15363	46729	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX Located in Stephenville, Tarleton State University accepted 53% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 80% of students attending Tarleton State University will receive institutional grant aid to make......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 4.6% Acceptance Rate 52.6% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $15,363 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,729
7	Utah Valley University	69.66	100	970 – 1,210	8650	46825	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference Utah Valley University Orem, UT Found in Orem, Utah Valley University’s acceptance rate is 100% and requests $35 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 41% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Utah Valley University, there is a 69% first year retention rate and a 15% four year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $8,650 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,825
8	The University of Texas at Arlington	69.3	81.29	1,020 – 1,240	14956	60902	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Found in Arlington, The University of Texas at Arlington accepts 81% of applicants. They charge $75 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 68% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 81.3% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $14,956 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,902
9	Utah Tech University	68	100	940 – 1,150	15488	37959	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference Utah Tech University Saint George, UT Based in Saint George, Utah Tech University accepts 100% of applicants and requests $35 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 81% of students at Utah Tech University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 7.9% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 940 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $15,488 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,959
10	Grand Canyon University	0	60.36	960 – 1,150	22239	47280	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Western Athletic Conference Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 60.4% SAT Score 960 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $22,239 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,280

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

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

About

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

84 % 0.4%

77.0%

1,150 – 1,370

$37,103

$64,656

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

81 % 2.6%

94.0%

870 – 1,090

$6,978

$35,812

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

76 % 2.7%

81.8%

1,040 – 1,240

$12,375

$41,147

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

75 % 2.1%

85.4%

930 – 1,210

$28,596

$52,336

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

72 % 0.6%

74.5%

970 – 1,150

$15,498

$43,144

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

72 % 4.6%

52.6%

--

$15,363

$46,729

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

70 %

100.0%

970 – 1,210

$8,650

$46,825

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

69 %

81.3%

1,020 – 1,240

$14,956

$60,902

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

68 % 7.9%

100.0%

940 – 1,150

$15,488

$37,959

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

--

60.4%

960 – 1,150

$22,239

$47,280

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

84 %
0.4%

81 %
2.6%

76 %
2.7%

75 %
2.1%

72 %
0.6%

72 %
4.6%

68 %
7.9%