2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama

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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	Auburn University	94.7	45.93	1,250 – 1,400	24524	54629	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Auburn University Auburn, AL Found in Auburn, Auburn University’s acceptance rate is 46% and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 73% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 95 % 1.7% Acceptance Rate 45.9% SAT Score 1,250 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $24,524 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,629
2	Samford University	93	82.36	1,100 – 1,300	32176	49466	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Samford University Birmingham, AL Founded in 1841, Samford University was originally was called Howard College and was converted to a military hospital during the Civil War. Today the school has a 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio and 93% first year retention rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 93 % 5.7% Acceptance Rate 82.4% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $32,176 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,466
3	The University of Alabama	89.5	76.65	1,110 – 1,370	21761	52233	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Found in Tuscaloosa, The University of Alabama accepts 77% of applicants and charges $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 66% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. 89% of students continued studying at The University of Alabama after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 90 % 3.9% Acceptance Rate 76.7% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $21,761 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,233
4	Oakwood University	89.2	50.7	930 – 1,110	22833	30969	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama 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
5	University of Alabama in Huntsville	84	68.57	1,130 – 1,370	19847	55610	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL Located in Huntsville, the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s acceptance rate is 69%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 92% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 3.7% Acceptance Rate 68.6% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $19,847 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,610
6	University of Alabama at Birmingham	82	88.42	1,120 – 1,380	17413	46572	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL Found in Birmingham, the University of Alabama at Birmingham accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $40 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 88% of students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham currently receive institutional......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 88.4% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $17,413 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,572
7	University of North Alabama	80	70.54	1,010 – 1,240	10441	38295	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama University of North Alabama Florence, AL Based in Florence, the University of North Alabama accepted 71% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 91% of students at the University of North Alabama will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 2.8% Acceptance Rate 70.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $10,441 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,295
8	University of South Alabama	75.7	70.96	1,040 – 1,240	13613	41307	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama University of South Alabama Mobile, AL Located in Mobile, the University of South Alabama’s acceptance rate is 71% and requests $45 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 90% of students attending the University of South Alabama currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 71.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $13,613 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,307
9	University of Montevallo	73	55.79	1,010 – 1,240	17280	35406	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL Located in Montevallo, the University of Montevallo’s acceptance rate is 56% and requires $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 96% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 55.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $17,280 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,406
10	Tuskegee University	70	31.43	940 – 1,120	35126	38332	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL Tuskegee University, a historically black college or university, is the only HBCU to have a fully accredited College of Veterinary Medicine, and the school's most popular major is Animal Sciences, General. 93% of students receive institutional grant aid—$3,321 on average....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % Acceptance Rate 31.4% SAT Score 940 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $35,126 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,332
11	Spring Hill College	69.9	74.66	1,020 – 1,190	20271	41358	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Spring Hill College Mobile, AL Found in Mobile, Spring Hill College’s acceptance rate is 75% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 98% of students at Spring Hill College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 5.9% Acceptance Rate 74.7% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $20,271 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,358
12	Auburn University at Montgomery	68	91.57	980 – 1,190	15458	38216	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL Based in Montgomery, Auburn University at Montgomery accepted 92% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 97% of students at Auburn University at Montgomery currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 3.0% Acceptance Rate 91.6% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $15,458 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,216
13	Huntingdon College	67	67.93	1,010 – 1,200	22642	42147	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Huntingdon College Montgomery, AL Based in Montgomery, Huntingdon College accepts 68% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students attending Huntingdon College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 0.4% Acceptance Rate 67.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $22,642 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,147
14	Jacksonville State University	64.57	77.69	940 – 1,200	14511	40158	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, AL Found in Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University’s acceptance rate is 78%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of students at Jacksonville State University will receive institutional grant aid. At Jacksonville State University, there is a 64% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 0.2% Acceptance Rate 77.7% SAT Score 940 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $14,511 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,158
15	Alabama State University	64	95.64	850 – 1,040	13504	27453	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Alabama State University Montgomery, AL Found in Montgomery, Alabama State University accepts 96% of applicants and requires $25 for undergraduate applications and $30 for graduate applications. About 59% of students attending Alabama State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 64% and its four year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % Acceptance Rate 95.6% SAT Score 850 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $13,504 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,453
16	University of West Alabama	60.7	87.11	860 – 1,080	14781	37106	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama University of West Alabama Livingston, AL Found in Livingston, the University of West Alabama accepted 87% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 64% of students at the University of West Alabama currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending......Read more First Year Retention Rate 61 % Acceptance Rate 87.1% SAT Score 860 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $14,781 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,106
17	Miles College	60	59.17	--	14633	25822	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Miles College Fairfield, AL Located in Fairfield, Miles College accepts 59% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 34% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 60 % Acceptance Rate 59.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,633 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $25,822
18	Talladega College	59	99.25	850 – 1,090	12450	22613	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Talladega College Talladega, AL Based in Talladega, Talladega College accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. About 63% of students attending Talladega College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 59 % Acceptance Rate 99.3% SAT Score 850 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $12,450 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $22,613
19	Alabama A & M University	58	66.22	840 – 1,040	14064	27851	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Alabama A & M University Normal, AL Based in Normal, Alabama A & M University accepted 66% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 66% of students attending Alabama A & M University will receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 58%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % Acceptance Rate 66.2% SAT Score 840 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $14,064 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,851
20	Faulkner University	58	66.13	950 – 1,130	19908	37313	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Faulkner University Montgomery, AL Found in Montgomery, Faulkner University accepts 66% of applicants. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 93% of students at Faulkner University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % Acceptance Rate 66.1% SAT Score 950 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $19,908 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,313
21	Stillman College	52	74.22	890 – 970	12479	29790	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Stillman College Tuscaloosa, AL Located in Tuscaloosa, Stillman College’s acceptance rate is 74%. They request $15 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 53% of students attending Stillman College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 52 % Acceptance Rate 74.2% SAT Score 890 – 970 Avg. Net Price $12,479 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,790
22	Amridge University	0	88.42	--	0	30377	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Amridge University Montgomery, AL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 88.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,377
23	Athens State University	0	0	--	0	46266	#23 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Athens State University Athens, AL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,266
24	Columbia Southern University	0	100	--	14085	55140	#24 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,085 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,140
25	Herzing University-Birmingham	0	94.49	--	21338	35295	#25 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Herzing University-Birmingham Birmingham, AL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 94.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $21,338 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,295
26	South University-Montgomery	0	51.94	--	25157	34115	#26 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama South University-Montgomery Montgomery, AL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 51.9% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $25,157 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,115
27	Strayer University-Alabama	0	0	--	22923	36582	#27 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Strayer University-Alabama Birmingham, AL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $22,923 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,582
28	Troy University	0	96.04	970 – 1,210	12504	39392	#28 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama Troy University Troy, AL Found in Troy, Troy University accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 59% of students at Troy University will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 71% and 30% of students will graduate in......Read more First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 96.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $12,504 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,392
29	United States Sports Academy	0	35.29	--	0	45521	#29 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama United States Sports Academy Daphne, AL First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 35.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,521
30	University of Mobile	0	72.51	1,080 – 1,280	20503	37411	#30 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Alabama 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