2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

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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	Taylor University	89	73.53	1,120 – 1,360	25698	45142	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Taylor University Upland, IN Taylor University offers 2 majors and programs. Some of the most popular areas of study for the Trojans include Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, and Other....Read more First Year Retention Rate 89 % 2.2% Acceptance Rate 73.5% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $25,698 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,142
2	Messiah University	88.6	78.97	1,130 – 1,360	29882	50192	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Messiah University has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 88% first year retention rate. Originally known as the Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training House in 1909, the school became a college in 1951 and a university in 2020. Incoming students have to sign a Community Covenant. First Year Retention Rate 89 % 4.2% Acceptance Rate 79.0% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $29,882 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,192
3	Belmont University	87	95.28	1,180 – 1,370	37558	42770	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Belmont University Nashville, TN Located in Nashville, Belmont University accepted 95% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 91% of students at Belmont University currently receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % 3.6% Acceptance Rate 95.3% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $37,558 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,770
4	The Master's University and Seminary	86	75.89	1,010 – 1,210	33463	41665	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita, CA The Master’s University was opened as the Los Angeles Baptist College and Seminary in 1927. In 1985, it changed its name to The Master’s College to reflect its switch interdenominational religious affiliation. It became a university in 2016....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % Acceptance Rate 75.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $33,463 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,665
5	Gordon College	84.4	85.62	1,150 – 1,370	25250	45839	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Gordon College Wenham, MA Gordon College opened as the Boston Missionary Training Institute in 1889, receiving its current moniker just over 80 years later. With 33 areas of study and awarding up to Post-master's certificates, many students opt for the Biology/Biological Sciences, General program. It also has a 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 84 % 1.7% Acceptance Rate 85.6% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $25,250 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,839
6	LeTourneau University	80.78	38.01	1,030 – 1,350	27007	51058	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational LeTourneau University Longview, TX Called LeTourneau Technical Institute when it opened in 1946, LeTourneau University's first classes were made up of almost entirely veterans who had just returned from World War II. It received its current name in 1989....Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % 0.3% Acceptance Rate 38.0% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $27,007 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,058
7	Trinity Christian College	76	88.65	950 – 1,180	17218	48107	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Trinity Christian College Palos Heights, IL Trinity Christian College is interdenominational and students can pursue up to Post-master's certificates. Participating in the NAIA Division I Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, student-athletes are known as the Trolls. Popular sports include Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 88.7% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $17,218 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,107
8	Moody Bible Institute	74.83	97.54	930 – 1,140	23950	40210	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL Located in Chicago, Moody Bible Institute accepted 98% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 77% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % Acceptance Rate 97.5% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $23,950 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,210
9	Bethany Global University	72	93.88	--	19840	50472	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Bethany Global University Bloomington, MN Based in Bloomington, Bethany Global University accepts 94% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 95% of students at Bethany Global University currently receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students are given $7,991 each. The first year retention rate is 72%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 93.9% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $19,840 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,472
10	Palm Beach Atlantic University	67	88.32	990 – 1,220	31103	42366	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach, FL Based in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 99% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % Acceptance Rate 88.3% SAT Score 990 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $31,103 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,366
11	Bryan College-Dayton	66	97.17	980 – 1,190	17105	45559	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, TN Found in Dayton, Bryan College-Dayton accepts 97% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 96% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % Acceptance Rate 97.2% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $17,105 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,559
12	Montreat College	59	65.55	970 – 1,140	26294	39763	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Montreat College Montreat, NC Located in Montreat, Montreat College accepted 66% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 99% of students attending Montreat College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 65.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $26,294 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,763
13	Beulah Heights University	57	61.85	--	7311	21108	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Beulah Heights University Atlanta, GA Based in Atlanta, Beulah Heights University’s acceptance rate is 62%. They charge $50 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be requested. Approximately 10% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 57 % Acceptance Rate 61.9% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $7,311 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $21,108
14	Oak Hills Christian College	55	91.88	890 – 1,080	24674	31108	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Oak Hills Christian College Bemidji, MN Located in Bemidji, Oak Hills Christian College accepts 92% of applicants. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and . About 96% of students attending Oak Hills Christian College will receive grant aid from the school. 55% of students continued studying at Oak Hills Christian College after completing their first......Read more First Year Retention Rate 55 % Acceptance Rate 91.9% SAT Score 890 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $24,674 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,108
15	Ecclesia College	54	47.5	970 – 1,210	24610	32147	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Ecclesia College Springdale, AR Located in Springdale, Ecclesia College’s acceptance rate is 48%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 100% of students at Ecclesia College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 54% of students decide to stay at......Read more First Year Retention Rate 54 % Acceptance Rate 47.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $24,610 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,147
16	Trinity College of Florida	53	96.3	790 – 1,170	20828	29914	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Trinity College of Florida Trinity, FL Found in Trinity, Trinity College of Florida accepts 96% of applicants and requires $35 for undergraduate applications and . About 85% of students attending Trinity College of Florida will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 53 % Acceptance Rate 96.3% SAT Score 790 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $20,828 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,914
17	Cornerstone University	0	73.16	1,010 – 1,240	23147	42598	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 73.2% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $23,147 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,598
18	Grace School of Theology	0	100	--	0	49343	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Grace School of Theology Conroe, TX First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,343
19	South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary	0	100	--	0	35869	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary Deerfield Beach, FL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,869
20	The King's University	0	100	870 – 1,130	23878	30883	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational The King's University Southlake, TX First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 870 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $23,878 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,883
21	Visible Music College	0	28.68	--	25726	32345	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Visible Music College Memphis, TN First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 28.7% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $25,726 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,345