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	Messiah University	89	78.97	1,130 – 1,360	29408	50192	#1 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 89% 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 % 4.7% Acceptance Rate 79.0% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $29,408 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,192
2	Taylor University	89	73.53	1,110 – 1,360	26178	45142	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Taylor University Upland, IN Taylor University offers 63 majors and programs. Some of the most popular areas of study for the Trojans include Elementary Education and Teaching, Psychology, and General. The school also boasts a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 89% first year retention rate. First Year Retention Rate 89 % 2.2% Acceptance Rate 73.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $26,178 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,142
3	Belmont University	87	95.28	1,180 – 1,370	38578	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 93% 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 $38,578 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,770
4	The Master's University and Seminary	85	84.02	1,020 – 1,260	37919	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 85 % Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $37,919 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,665
5	Gordon College	84	69.23	1,150 – 1,370	25299	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 32 areas of study and awarding up to Post-master's certificates, many students opt for the Experimental Psychology program. It also has a 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 84 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 69.2% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $25,299 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,839
6	Moody Bible Institute	84	82.69	980 – 1,180	21614	40210	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL Located in Chicago, Moody Bible Institute accepted 83% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 78% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 6.7% Acceptance Rate 82.7% SAT Score 980 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $21,614 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,210
7	LeTourneau University	81	38.01	1,030 – 1,350	29799	51058	#7 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 % Acceptance Rate 38.0% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $29,799 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,058
8	Cornerstone University	78	77.77	1,000 – 1,220	21335	42598	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Cornerstone University Grand Rapids, MI Found in Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University accepts 78% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 100% of students at Cornerstone University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 7.1% Acceptance Rate 77.8% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $21,335 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,598
9	Bryan College-Dayton	71	51.01	1,070 – 1,250	18159	45559	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Bryan College-Dayton Dayton, TN Found in Dayton, Bryan College-Dayton accepts 51% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 94% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 9.2% Acceptance Rate 51.0% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $18,159 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,559
10	Palm Beach Atlantic University	68	81.99	960 – 1,230	31231	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 82% 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 68 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 82.0% SAT Score 960 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $31,231 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,366
11	Montreat College	59	69.2	1,060 – 1,270	28112	39763	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Montreat College Montreat, NC Located in Montreat, Montreat College accepted 69% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 89% of students attending Montreat College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 69.2% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $28,112 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,763
12	Ecclesia College	48	73.81	420 – 670	24552	32147	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational Ecclesia College Springdale, AR Located in Springdale, Ecclesia College’s acceptance rate is 74%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 91% of students at Ecclesia College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 48% of students decide to stay at Ecclesia......Read more First Year Retention Rate 48 % Acceptance Rate 73.8% SAT Score 420 – 670 Avg. Net Price $24,552 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,147

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

89 % 4.7%

79.0%

1,130 – 1,360

$29,408

$50,192

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

89 % 2.2%

73.5%

1,110 – 1,360

$26,178

$45,142

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

87 % 3.6%

95.3%

1,180 – 1,370

$38,578

$42,770

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

85 %

84.0%

1,020 – 1,260

$37,919

$41,665

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

84 % 1.2%

69.2%

1,150 – 1,370

$25,299

$45,839

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

84 % 6.7%

82.7%

980 – 1,180

$21,614

$40,210

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

81 %

38.0%

1,030 – 1,350

$29,799

$51,058

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

78 % 7.1%

77.8%

1,000 – 1,220

$21,335

$42,598

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

71 % 9.2%

51.0%

1,070 – 1,250

$18,159

$45,559

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

68 % 1.5%

82.0%

960 – 1,230

$31,231

$42,366

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

59 % 4.8%

69.2%

1,060 – 1,270

$28,112

$39,763

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Interdenominational

48 %

73.8%

420 – 670

$24,552

$32,147

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89 %
4.7%

89 %
2.2%

87 %
3.6%

84 %
1.2%

84 %
6.7%

78 %
7.1%

71 %
9.2%

68 %
1.5%

59 %
4.8%