2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist

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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	Union University	89.35	60.16	1,120 – 1,380	27191	45505	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Union University Jackson, TN Union University athletes are known as the Bulldogs. Previously a NCAA Division I school, they’ve won several championships while part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Today, athletes compete in the Gulf South Conference....Read more First Year Retention Rate 89 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 60.2% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $27,191 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,505
2	Clear Creek Baptist Bible College	88	54.34	--	13182	35559	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Clear Creek Baptist Bible College Pineville, KY Based in Pineville, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College accepts 54% of applicants and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 100% of students at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 88 % Acceptance Rate 54.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,182 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,559
3	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	85	58.71	1,000 – 1,210	11395	63721	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Based in Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary accepted 59% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $40 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 42% of students at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will receive grant aid from the......Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 4.9% Acceptance Rate 58.7% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $11,395 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
4	Ouachita Baptist University	81.9	67.52	1,110 – 1,310	22087	41697	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR Ouachita Baptist University, associated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, first opened in 1886. 577 athletes are known as the Tigers wear purple and gold while competing in Football, Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, and other sports....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 67.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $22,087 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,697
5	Mississippi College	78	49.28	1,010 – 1,210	21135	42011	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Mississippi College Clinton, MS Located in Clinton, Mississippi College accepted 49% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $35 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 97% of students at Mississippi College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 78% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 49.3% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $21,135 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,011
6	The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary	78	96.89	1,000 – 1,180	19873	63721	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KY Located in Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary accepted 97% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $35 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 40% of students attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 96.9% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,873 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
7	California Baptist University	74.5	85.35	930 – 1,210	28596	52336	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist California Baptist University Riverside, CA Located in Riverside, California Baptist University accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending California Baptist University currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 75 % 2.1% Acceptance Rate 85.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $28,596 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,336
8	Criswell College	73	91.67	1,090 – 1,150	11464	42026	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Criswell College Dallas, TX Criswell College was founded in 1970, originally named the Criswell Bible Institute. This Baptist Christian school offers up to Master's degree, and it has very small class sizes, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1. andGeneral Studies are commonly chosen undergraduate majors. First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 91.7% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $11,464 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,026
9	North Greenville University	72	66.67	1,060 – 1,270	20264	38173	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist North Greenville University Tigerville, SC Based in Tigerville, North Greenville University accepts 67% of applicants and charges $35 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of students attending North Greenville University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 4.3% Acceptance Rate 66.7% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $20,264 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,173
10	Truett McConnell University	69	90.68	990 – 1,180	22373	39193	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Truett McConnell University Cleveland, GA Found in Cleveland, Truett McConnell University accepted 91% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 69% and its four year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 90.7% SAT Score 990 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $22,373 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,193
11	Gardner-Webb University	66	87.02	980 – 1,190	24035	43996	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Located in Boiling Springs, Gardner-Webb University accepts 87% of applicants and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of students at Gardner-Webb University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Gardner-Webb University, there is a 66% first year retention rate and a 36% four year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % Acceptance Rate 87.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $24,035 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,996
12	Southwest Baptist University	66	99.72	970 – 1,210	19781	38855	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, MO Located in Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University accepts 100% of applicants and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. About 76% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % Acceptance Rate 99.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $19,781 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,855
13	Blue Mountain Christian University	65	100	980 – 1,240	16525	35401	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Blue Mountain Christian University Blue Mountain, MS Blue Mountain Christian University was originally a women's school when it opened in 1873. It only became coeducational in 2005. During the last admissions cycle, 56% of accepted students enrolled....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $16,525 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,401
14	Chowan University	64	72.37	880 – 1,090	15845	30096	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC Located in Murfreesboro, Chowan University’s acceptance rate is 72%. They request $20 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 100% of students attending Chowan University currently receive grant aid from the school. 64% of students decide to stay at Chowan University after completing their first......Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 880 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $15,845 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,096
15	Louisiana Christian University	58.6	83.79	940 – 1,190	15470	40615	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Louisiana Christian University Pineville, LA Located in Pineville, Louisiana Christian University accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Louisiana Christian University currently receive institutional grant aid. 58% of students decide to stay at......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 83.8% SAT Score 940 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $15,470 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,615
16	Wayland Baptist University	44	55.96	840 – 1,010	20222	44159	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX Found in Plainview, Wayland Baptist University’s acceptance rate is 56%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications. About 82% of students at Wayland Baptist University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 44%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 44 % 7.4% Acceptance Rate 56.0% SAT Score 840 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $20,222 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,159
17	Baptist University of Florida	20	64.1	930 – 1,170	8904	31489	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Baptist University of Florida Graceville, FL Located in Graceville, Baptist University of Florida accepts 64% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. About 75% of students at Baptist University of Florida currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 20%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 20 % 76.2% Acceptance Rate 64.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $8,904 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,489
18	Hannibal-LaGrange University	0	58.74	1,020 – 1,230	20640	41185	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Hannibal-LaGrange University Hannibal, MO First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 58.7% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $20,640 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,185
19	New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary	0	66.77	--	20904	63721	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LA First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 66.8% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $20,904 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
20	The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary	0	52.75	1,050 – 1,260	11654	63721	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Fort Worth, TX First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 52.8% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $11,654 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
21	University of Mobile	0	72.51	1,080 – 1,280	20503	37411	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist University of Mobile Mobile, AL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 72.5% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $20,503 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,411
22	Williams Baptist University	0	58.88	960 – 1,170	16658	38067	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate – Southern Baptist Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 58.9% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $16,658 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,067