2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist

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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	Oakwood University	89.2	50.7	930 – 1,110	22833	30969	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Oakwood University Huntsville, AL Sitting on 1,185 acres in Huntsville, Oakwood University is a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution. The school, whose motto is "God First," has an 89% first year retention rate. andGeneral Studies are the most popular majors. First Year Retention Rate 89 % Acceptance Rate 50.7% SAT Score 930 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $22,833 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,969
2	Walla Walla University	84.5	60.4	1,050 – 1,270	26001	52840	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Walla Walla University College Place, WA Walla Walla University is fairly selective, and 30% of accepted students enroll. Students experience a 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 84% return to the school after completing their first year. Social Work, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are popular programs. First Year Retention Rate 85 % Acceptance Rate 60.4% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $26,001 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,840
3	Andrews University	82	87.4	1,080 – 1,350	24874	43254	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI Based in Berrien Springs, Andrews University’s acceptance rate is 87% and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 94% of students attending Andrews University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The institution’s first year retention rate is 82% and its four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 87.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $24,874 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,254
4	La Sierra University	82	93.3	890 – 1,140	28076	42617	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist La Sierra University Riverside, CA Located in Riverside, La Sierra University accepts 93% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. At La Sierra University, there is a 82% first year retention rate and 34% of students will graduate in four years or less....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 93.3% SAT Score 890 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $28,076 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,617
5	Southwestern Adventist University	81	55.52	940 – 1,180	20198	43643	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Southwestern Adventist University Keene, TX Located in Keene, Southwestern Adventist University’s acceptance rate is 56%. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students receive $10,653 each. The first year retention rate is 81%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % Acceptance Rate 55.5% SAT Score 940 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $20,198 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,643
6	Pacific Union College	80	42.48	970 – 1,210	22799	52713	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Pacific Union College Angwin, CA Found in Angwin, Pacific Union College accepted 42% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students at Pacific Union College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % Acceptance Rate 42.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $22,799 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,713
7	Southern Adventist University	79.1	66.61	980 – 1,280	25374	44818	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Southern Adventist University Collegedale, TN Located in Collegedale, Southern Adventist University’s acceptance rate is 67% and requires $25 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Southern Adventist University currently receive institutional grant aid. 79% of students decide to stay at Southern Adventist......Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 66.6% SAT Score 980 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $25,374 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,818
8	Kettering College	78	82.86	1,040 – 1,180	4048	60692	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Kettering College Kettering, OH Located in Kettering, Kettering College accepts 83% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 82% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. They are given $23,855 on average. The first year retention rate is 78%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 82.9% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $4,048 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,692
9	Union Adventist University	77.3	99.89	940 – 1,220	23602	43853	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Union Adventist University Lincoln, NE Located in Lincoln, Union Adventist University accepts 100% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Union Adventist University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 99.9% SAT Score 940 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $23,602 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,853
10	Universidad Adventista de las Antillas	73	100	--	8354	27766	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Universidad Adventista de las Antillas Mayaguez, PR Located in Mayaguez, Universidad Adventista de las Antillas accepts 100% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $20 to apply. About 38% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 73% of students decide to stay at Universidad Adventista de las Antillas after......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $8,354 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,766
11	Washington Adventist University	69	45.36	830 – 1,070	16732	40114	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, MD Found in Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University accepts 45% of applicants and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 69% and its four year graduation rate is 19%. The three most popular majors......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 45.4% SAT Score 830 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $16,732 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,114
12	AdventHealth University	64	22.51	1,030 – 1,150	30340	63230	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist AdventHealth University Orlando, FL Based in Orlando, AdventHealth University accepted 23% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $20 for undergraduate applications and $100 for graduate applications. About 76% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At AdventHealth University, there is a 64% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 33.3% Acceptance Rate 22.5% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $30,340 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,230
13	Loma Linda University	0	93.3	--	0	88185	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Seventh Day Adventist Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 93.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $88,185