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	Arizona State University Campus Immersion	87	89.89	1,090 – 1,320	17779	52843	#1 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 87% first year retention rate, and many students major in Computer Science. First Year Retention Rate 87 % 2.4% Acceptance Rate 89.9% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $17,779 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,843
2	University of Arizona	83	86.14	1,110 – 1,370	19055	47665	#2 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 Big Twelve Conference. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 5.7% Acceptance Rate 86.1% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $19,055 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,665
3	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott	82	76.58	1,160 – 1,360	41864	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 82 % 2.4% Acceptance Rate 76.6% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $41,864 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,391
4	University of Advancing Technology	77	98.06	950 – 1,180	27286	39016	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona University of Advancing Technology Tempe, AZ Located in Tempe, the University of Advancing Technology’s acceptance rate is 98%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 24% of students at the University of Advancing Technology will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 77% and 41% of students will earn......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 98.1% SAT Score 950 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $27,286 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,016
5	Northern Arizona University	75	89.61	990 – 1,190	16371	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 Information Technology, though there are 176 degree programs available. 98% of students receive institutional grant aid, averaging $9,702 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 990 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $16,371 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,308
6	Justice University	73	0	--	13238	0	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Justice University Chandler, AZ First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,238 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $0
7	Grand Canyon University	72	78.91	1,030 – 1,120	22928	47280	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ Found in Phoenix, Grand Canyon University accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 93% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 5.9% Acceptance Rate 78.9% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $22,928 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,280
8	Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe	71	100	--	29819	32840	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe Tempe, AZ Found in Tempe, Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe accepts 100% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in $49 to apply. Approximately 4% of students attending Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe currently receive grant aid from the school. They receive $2,000 on average. The first year retention rate is 71%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $29,819 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,840
9	Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix	68	100	--	36352	32840	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix Phoenix, AZ Located in Phoenix, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix’s acceptance rate is 100% and requires $49 for undergraduate applications and . About 0% of students attending Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix currently receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 68% and around 0% of students will......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $36,352 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $32,840
10	Arizona Christian University	54	70.62	920 – 1,160	32514	39524	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Arizona Christian University Glendale, AZ Located in Glendale, Arizona Christian University accepted 71% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 97% of students at Arizona Christian University will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s......Read more First Year Retention Rate 54 % 1.8% Acceptance Rate 70.6% SAT Score 920 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $32,514 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,524
11	Ottawa University-Surprise	50	78.15	880 – 1,110	34037	49139	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona Ottawa University-Surprise Surprise, AZ Located in Surprise, Ottawa University-Surprise’s acceptance rate is 78% and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Ottawa University-Surprise currently receive grant aid from the school. 50% of students decide to stay at Ottawa University-Surprise after completing their first year....Read more First Year Retention Rate 50 % 13.6% Acceptance Rate 78.2% SAT Score 880 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $34,037 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,139
12	University of Phoenix-Arizona	41	0	--	13599	35359	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ First Year Retention Rate 41 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,599 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,359
13	American InterContinental University System	36	97.94	--	14726	27823	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona American InterContinental University System Chandler, AZ Located in Chandler, American InterContinental University System’s acceptance rate is 98% and requires $75 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. Approximately 26% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s first year retention rate is 36% and 19% of students will......Read more First Year Retention Rate 36 % 80.0% Acceptance Rate 97.9% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,726 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,823

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 in Arizona

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

87 % 2.4%

89.9%

1,090 – 1,320

$17,779

$52,843

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

83 % 5.7%

86.1%

1,110 – 1,370

$19,055

$47,665

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

82 % 2.4%

76.6%

1,160 – 1,360

$41,864

$65,391

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

77 % 2.5%

98.1%

950 – 1,180

$27,286

$39,016

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

75 % 2.7%

89.6%

990 – 1,190

$16,371

$47,308

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

73 %

--

--

$13,238

$0

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

72 % 5.9%

78.9%

1,030 – 1,120

$22,928

$47,280

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

71 %

100.0%

--

$29,819

$32,840

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

68 %

100.0%

--

$36,352

$32,840

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

54 % 1.8%

70.6%

920 – 1,160

$32,514

$39,524

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

50 % 13.6%

78.2%

880 – 1,110

$34,037

$49,139

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

41 %

--

--

$13,599

$35,359

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Arizona

36 % 80.0%

97.9%

--

$14,726

87 %
2.4%

83 %
5.7%

82 %
2.4%

77 %
2.5%

75 %
2.7%

72 %
5.9%

54 %
1.8%

50 %
13.6%

36 %
80.0%