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	48.32	1,310 – 1,450	26756	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 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 48.3% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $26,756 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,373
2	Muhlenberg College	90	71.99	1,280 – 1,430	34739	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 90 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 72.0% SAT Score 1,280 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $34,739 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,265
3	Gustavus Adolphus College	88	60.99	1,180 – 1,370	26094	51546	#3 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 5,290 applications during the last admissions cycle and accepted 3,230 of them. The college has an 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 88% first year retention rate. First Year Retention Rate 88 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 61.0% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $26,094 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,546
4	Augustana University	86	67.75	1,090 – 1,290	24977	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 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 2.4% Acceptance Rate 67.8% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $24,977 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,826
5	Susquehanna University	86	81.43	1,100 – 1,310	26444	51535	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PA Based in Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University accepts 81% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 97% of students attending Susquehanna University currently receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students receive $45,185 each. The first year retention rate is 86%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % Acceptance Rate 81.4% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $26,444 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,535
6	Concordia College at Moorhead	84	62.65	1,080 – 1,240	25190	48225	#6 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 84% 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 84 % 7.7% Acceptance Rate 62.7% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $25,190 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,225
7	Augustana College	82	62.68	1,040 – 1,290	24714	49849	#7 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 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 62.7% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $24,714 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,849
8	Pacific Lutheran University	82	78.02	1,050 – 1,270	22299	52212	#8 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 % 3.8% Acceptance Rate 78.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $22,299 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,212
9	California Lutheran University	79	75.67	1,160 – 1,350	32774	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 99% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 75.7% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $32,774 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,981
10	Luther College	77	71.54	1,100 – 1,370	24511	49541	#10 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 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 71.5% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,511 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,541
11	Capital University	76	70.22	960 – 1,210	22395	45767	#11 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 76% first year retention rate and around 56% of students will graduate......Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 70.2% SAT Score 960 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $22,395 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,767
12	Lenoir-Rhyne University	76	84.59	970 – 1,180	21546	44799	#12 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 85%. They request unknown 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 76 % 7.0% Acceptance Rate 84.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $21,546 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,799
13	Roanoke College	76	83.06	1,110 – 1,320	26044	45330	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Roanoke College Salem, VA Found in Salem, Roanoke College accepted 83% 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 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 76 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 83.1% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $26,044 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,330
14	Wartburg College	76	75.84	1,070 – 1,280	24031	48795	#14 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 76 % 5.0% Acceptance Rate 75.8% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $24,031 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,795
15	Carthage College	73	87.06	1,040 – 1,210	27066	46116	#15 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 . About 100% 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 58%. The common majors among......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 11.0% Acceptance Rate 87.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $27,066 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,116
16	Thiel College	73	71.55	950 – 1,180	22545	40686	#16 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 73 % 2.8% Acceptance Rate 71.6% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $22,545 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,686
17	Augsburg University	72	81.98	940 – 1,190	24561	48616	#17 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 48% of students will......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 82.0% SAT Score 940 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $24,561 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,616
18	Grand View University	70	99.09	930 – 1,110	22319	47582	#18 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 99%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 70% and 46% of students will graduate in four years. The common majors among......Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 4.1% Acceptance Rate 99.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $22,319 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,582
19	Midland University	69	66.12	940 – 1,150	26643	45145	#19 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 66% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 5.5% Acceptance Rate 66.1% SAT Score 940 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $26,643 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,145
20	Newberry College	69	89.79	890 – 1,130	21943	38983	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Evangelical Lutheran Church Newberry College Newberry, SC Based in Newberry, Newberry College accepts 90% of applicants. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 71% of students at Newberry College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 89.8% SAT Score 890 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $21,943 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,983
21	Wittenberg University	63	72.35	1,060 – 1,300	23537	42437	#21 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 72% 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 63 % 14.9% Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $23,537 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,437
22	Bethany College	43	56	860 – 1,090	28192	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 43 % 12.2% Acceptance Rate 56.0% SAT Score 860 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $28,192 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,805