2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

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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	Aspen University	100	87.5	--	0	29448	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Aspen University Phoenix, AZ Based in Phoenix, Aspen University accepted 88% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 0% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 100 % Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,448
2	Arizona State University Campus Immersion	85	89.89	1,090 – 1,320	16401	52843	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Arizona State University was founded in 1885, first known as the Territorial Normal School, an institution to train teachers. The campus is home to the Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. ASU has an 86% first year retention rate, and many students major in Computer Science. First Year Retention Rate 85 % Acceptance Rate 89.9% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $16,401 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,843
3	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott	83.8	76.58	1,160 – 1,360	41209	65391	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Prescott, AZ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus is located just north of a wildlife sanctuary and the Willow Creek Reservoir. Alumni of the school have gone on to have impressive careers as astronauts, scientists, military members, authors, athletes, and politicians....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 7.2% Acceptance Rate 76.6% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $41,209 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,391
4	University of Arizona	82.8	86.14	1,100 – 1,330	18144	47665	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona University of Arizona Tucson, AZ The University of Arizona is older than the state, having been founded in 1885 (Arizona only became a state in 1912). A public research university, the school charges $50 for undergraduate applications. The Arizona Wildcats, or simply “Cats,” play in the Pacific-12 Conference. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 5.6% Acceptance Rate 86.1% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $18,144 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,665
5	Northern Arizona University	75	89.61	1,040 – 1,250	16544	47308	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Northern Arizona University's most popular major is Psychology, General, though there are 171 degree programs available. 93% of students receive institutional grant aid, averaging $9,981 each. The Access2Excellence program covers full tuition for qualifying in-state students. First Year Retention Rate 75 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 89.6% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $16,544 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,308
6	Glendale Community College	58	75.19	--	13166	37269	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Glendale Community College Glendale, AZ Based in Glendale, Glendale Community College accepts 75% of applicants and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 50% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % Acceptance Rate 75.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,166 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,269
7	National Paralegal College	58	84.9	--	14359	34769	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona National Paralegal College Phoenix, AZ Based in Phoenix, National Paralegal College’s acceptance rate is 85%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 0% of students at National Paralegal College currently receive institutional grant aid. 58% of students decide to stay at National Paralegal College after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % Acceptance Rate 84.9% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,359 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,769
8	Arizona Christian University	55	74.42	970 – 1,210	32397	39524	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Arizona Christian University Glendale, AZ Located in Glendale, Arizona Christian University accepted 74% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 96% of students at Arizona Christian University will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s......Read more First Year Retention Rate 55 % Acceptance Rate 74.4% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $32,397 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,524
9	Prescott College	54.05	98.57	1,020 – 1,260	23163	33539	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Prescott College Prescott, AZ Located in Prescott, Prescott College’s acceptance rate is 99%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 97% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 54% of students continued their studies at......Read more First Year Retention Rate 54 % Acceptance Rate 98.6% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $23,163 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,539
10	Rio Salado College	43	0	--	9003	42314	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Rio Salado College Tempe, AZ First Year Retention Rate 43 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $9,003 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,314
11	American InterContinental University System	0	92.44	--	14250	27823	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona American InterContinental University System Chandler, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 92.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,250 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,823
12	Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix	0	100	--	34731	59213	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $34,731 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,213
13	Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson	0	100	--	28338	32840	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson Tucson, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $28,338 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,840
14	Brookline College-Phoenix	0	85.97	--	0	32705	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Brookline College-Phoenix Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 86.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,705
15	Brookline College-Tempe	0	0	--	18711	50742	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Brookline College-Tempe Tempe, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $18,711 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,742
16	Bryan University	0	100	--	20495	32146	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Bryan University Tempe, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $20,495 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,146
17	Chamberlain University-Arizona	0	87.5	--	31755	59213	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Chamberlain University-Arizona Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $31,755 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $59,213
18	Dine College	0	60.36	--	10354	23195	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Dine College Tsaile, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 60.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $10,354 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $23,195
19	GateWay Community College	0	60.36	--	13317	42262	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona GateWay Community College Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 60.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,317 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,262
20	Grand Canyon University	0	60.36	960 – 1,150	22239	47280	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 60.4% SAT Score 960 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $22,239 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,280
21	Ottawa University-Surprise	0	39.88	910 – 1,050	35030	49139	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Ottawa University-Surprise Surprise, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 39.9% SAT Score 910 – 1,050 Avg. Net Price $35,030 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,139
22	Paradise Valley Community College	0	95.15	--	14322	41597	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Paradise Valley Community College Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 95.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,322 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,597
23	Pima Medical Institute-Tucson	0	90.95	--	0	37302	#23 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Pima Medical Institute-Tucson Tucson, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 91.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,302
24	Sessions College for Professional Design	0	85.71	--	13681	36805	#24 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Sessions College for Professional Design Tempe, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 85.7% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,681 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,805
25	University of Advancing Technology	0	95.15	950 – 1,180	21148	39016	#25 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 95.2% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $21,148 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,016
26	University of Phoenix-Arizona	0	0	--	13612	35359	#26 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,612 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,359
27	Yavapai College	0	74.42	--	6985	35028	#27 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Yavapai College Prescott, AZ First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 74.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $6,985 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,028