2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church

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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	St Olaf College	92.2	48.32	1,310 – 1,450	27282	48373	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church St Olaf College Northfield, MN Founded by Norwegian-American immigrant pastors and farmers, St. Olaf has actually been visited by King Olav and King Harald V. Their mascot is St. Olaf Lion and the school’s athletes are known as the Oles. With 47 majors offered, the most popular area of study is Biology/Biological Sciences, General. First Year Retention Rate 92 % Acceptance Rate 48.3% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $27,282 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,373
2	Muhlenberg College	89	64.01	1,250 – 1,400	31814	53265	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA In addition to an 82-acre campus, Muhlenberg College also maintains nearby 60-acre Graver Arboretum and 40-acre Raker Wildlife Preserve. Most of their programs focus on liberal arts and pre-professional education – English Language and Literature, General is a popular area of study....Read more First Year Retention Rate 89 % Acceptance Rate 64.0% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $31,814 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,265
3	Susquehanna University	86	78.71	1,100 – 1,310	27258	51535	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PA Based in Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University accepts 79% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 95% of students attending Susquehanna University currently receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students receive $42,577 each. The first year retention rate is 86%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % Acceptance Rate 78.7% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $27,258 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,535
4	Augustana University	85.5	67.75	1,090 – 1,290	25280	49826	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD At Augustana University, navy blue and gold are the official colors of the Vikings, who compete in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Business Administration and Management, General, Education, and General are the most popular majors on campus, and the school has a 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % Acceptance Rate 67.8% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $25,280 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,826
5	Gustavus Adolphus College	84	61.8	1,210 – 1,400	28805	51546	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN Psychology, General is the most popular major at Gustavus Adolphus College. A fairly selective school, it received 4,450 applications during the last admissions cycle and accepted 2,750 of them. The college has an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 84% first year retention rate. First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 61.8% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $28,805 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,546
6	Augustana College	82	62.77	1,040 – 1,290	24695	49849	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Augustana College Rock Island, IL Found in Rock Island, Augustana College accepted 63% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students at Augustana College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 62.8% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $24,695 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,849
7	Pacific Lutheran University	82	78	1,140 – 1,360	23841	52212	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Pacific Lutheran University’s motto is “Education for Lives of Thoughtful Inquiry, Service, Leadership, and Care.” Many students study Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, and General. The school opened in 1894, where tuition was $1 per week....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 78.0% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $23,841 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,212
8	Wartburg College	80	99.41	1,010 – 1,280	23321	48795	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Wartburg College Waverly, IA Business/Commerce, General, Elementary Education and Teaching, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General are popular majors at Wartburg College, whose motto is “Experience more.” The school was founded in 1852, and it moved several times between Illinois and Iowa....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 13.3% Acceptance Rate 99.4% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $23,321 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,795
9	California Lutheran University	79	75.67	1,160 – 1,360	27080	54981	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA Located in Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University’s acceptance rate is 76% and requires $25 for undergraduate applications and $30 for graduate applications. About 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 75.7% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $27,080 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,981
10	Concordia College at Moorhead	78	63.06	1,090 – 1,320	25488	48225	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Concordia College at Moorhead Moorhead, MN Concordia College at Moorhead has an 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 78% first year retention rate. It’s home to a robust music program with several choirs, bands, and orchestras. Students are known as the Cobbers and compete in the NCAA Division III with football Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.8% Acceptance Rate 63.1% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $25,488 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,225
11	Roanoke College	78	80.07	1,100 – 1,290	27695	45330	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Roanoke College Salem, VA Found in Salem, Roanoke College accepted 80% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students attending Roanoke College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 6.1% Acceptance Rate 80.1% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $27,695 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,330
12	Luther College	77	84.02	1,100 – 1,370	24790	49541	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Luther College Decorah, IA Luther College started as a Lutheran seminary opened by Norwegian immigrants. The upper campus is on the National Register of Historic Places, while the Upper Iowa River flows through the lower campus. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is a popular area of study, and the school has a first year retention rate of 77%. First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,790 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,541
13	Capital University	75.6	70.22	960 – 1,210	22480	45767	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Capital University Columbus, OH Found in Columbus, Capital University accepts 70% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 99% of students attending Capital University will receive institutional grant aid. At Capital University, there is a 75% first year retention rate and around 54% of students will graduate......Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 70.2% SAT Score 960 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $22,480 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,767
14	Thiel College	73.7	71.89	950 – 1,180	22490	40686	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Thiel College Greenville, PA Located in Greenville, Thiel College accepted 72% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students at Thiel College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 71.9% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $22,490 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,686
15	Wittenberg University	73.6	91.04	1,050 – 1,240	21457	42437	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Wittenberg University Springfield, OH Found in Springfield, Wittenberg University’s acceptance rate is 91% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students attending Wittenberg University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 91.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $21,457 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,437
16	Carthage College	73	87.1	1,020 – 1,260	24962	46116	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Carthage College Kenosha, WI Found in Kenosha, Carthage College accepts 87% of applicants and requires $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. About 98% of students attending Carthage College currently receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 73% and its four year graduation rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 87.1% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $24,962 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,116
17	Grand View University	73	98.43	930 – 1,140	22296	47582	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Grand View University Des Moines, IA Based in Des Moines, Grand View University’s acceptance rate is 98%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 73% and 39% of students will graduate in four years. The common majors among......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 7.4% Acceptance Rate 98.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $22,296 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,582
18	Midland University	73	66.92	960 – 1,180	24143	45145	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Midland University Fremont, NE Located in Fremont, Midland University’s acceptance rate is 67% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 21.7% Acceptance Rate 66.9% SAT Score 960 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $24,143 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,145
19	Augsburg University	72.3	81.98	940 – 1,190	24807	48616	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN Based in Minneapolis, Augsburg University’s acceptance rate is 82% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students attending Augsburg University currently receive grant aid from the school. At Augsburg University, there is a 72% first year retention rate and around 45% of students will......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 82.0% SAT Score 940 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $24,807 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,616
20	Lenoir-Rhyne University	71	80.68	970 – 1,180	24042	44799	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC Located in Hickory, Lenoir-Rhyne University’s acceptance rate is 81%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Lenoir-Rhyne University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 80.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $24,042 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,799
21	Newberry College	70	74.8	890 – 1,130	20941	38983	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Newberry College Newberry, SC Based in Newberry, Newberry College accepts 75% of applicants. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students at Newberry College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 5.4% Acceptance Rate 74.8% SAT Score 890 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $20,941 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,983
22	Bethany College	49	78.6	960 – 1,120	29571	40805	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Bethany College Lindsborg, KS One of the oldest colleges in the state, Bethany College opened in 1881. 100% of students receive institutional grant aid and, as a NAIA Division II school, there are athletic scholarships available. Many choose to pursue degrees in Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other. First Year Retention Rate 49 % 12.5% Acceptance Rate 78.6% SAT Score 960 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $29,571 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,805