2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa

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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	Mercy College of Health Sciences	100	98.78	1,010 – 1,180	24881	53375	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Mercy College of Health Sciences Des Moines, IA Located in Des Moines, Mercy College of Health Sciences accepted 99% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 31% of students at Mercy College of Health Sciences currently receive institutional grant aid......Read more First Year Retention Rate 100 % Acceptance Rate 98.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $24,881 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,375
2	St Luke's College	100	44.44	930 – 1,110	12771	54850	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa St Luke's College Sioux City, IA Located in Sioux City, St Luke's College’s acceptance rate is 44% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 100 % Acceptance Rate 44.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $12,771 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,850
3	Grinnell College	93	14.51	1,410 – 1,530	33446	49004	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Grinnell College Grinnell, IA The most popular majors at Grinnell College include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General. Part of the Midwest Conference and NCAA Division III with football, the Pioneers, wearing scarlet and black, have a wide variety of sports to choose from, such as Football,......Read more First Year Retention Rate 93 % Acceptance Rate 14.5% SAT Score 1,410 – 1,530 Avg. Net Price $33,446 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,004
4	University of Iowa	90.4	83.62	1,100 – 1,320	20121	52696	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Found in Iowa City, the University of Iowa accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $55 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 70% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 90 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 83.6% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $20,121 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,696
5	Iowa State University	87.6	88.66	1,090 – 1,330	17354	53873	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Iowa State University Ames, IA Iowa State University's full name is Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The school has an 18 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 87% first year retention rate, and 51% 4-year graduation rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 88 % 3.1% Acceptance Rate 88.7% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $17,354 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,873
6	Dordt University	82.8	71.16	1,070 – 1,330	27925	50551	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Dordt University Sioux Center, IA Found in Sioux Center, Dordt University 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 99% of students at Dordt University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 71.2% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $27,925 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,551
7	Loras College	82.3	18.54	1,020 – 1,200	22338	46069	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Loras College Dubuque, IA Loras College offers up to a Master's degree, with 33 programs to choose from. Business Administration and Management, General is a top choice. The private school also has an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 82% first year retention rate....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 0.8% Acceptance Rate 18.5% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $22,338 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,069
8	University of Northern Iowa	81.7	87.13	1,010 – 1,220	15931	47222	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA Based in Cedar Falls, the University of Northern Iowa’s acceptance rate is 87% and charges $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 73% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Northern Iowa, there is a 81% first year retention rate and around 44% of undergraduates will earn......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 2.7% Acceptance Rate 87.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $15,931 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,222
9	Central College	79.93	86.17	1,040 – 1,240	22499	49115	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Central College Pella, IA Located in Pella, Central College accepts 86% of applicants. They require $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Central College will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 10.0% Acceptance Rate 86.2% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $22,499 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,115
10	Briar Cliff University	78.92	59.83	970 – 1,180	23292	48338	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Briar Cliff University Sioux City, IA Briar Cliff University has a 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 78% first year retention rate. 98% of students typically receive around $26,325 to help offset the cost of college. Briar Cliff is a NAIA Division II school, and the average athletic scholarship for 410 Chargers is $11,290. First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 59.8% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $23,292 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,338
11	Simpson College	78	88.88	1,400 – 1,460	23637	49946	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Simpson College Indianola, IA Simpson College is non selective. 100% receive grant aid, $35,240 on average. Attending students enjoy an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and many go on to major in Health and Wellness, General....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 88.9% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $23,637 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,946
12	Buena Vista University	77	77.61	1,010 – 1,240	18156	43572	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA Buena Vista University has a 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 77% first year retention rate, and 56% 4-year graduation rate. Every year BVU students volunteer at Buenafication Day, the school's annual day of community service. Popular majors among students include Elementary Education and Teaching, Human Services, and General. First Year Retention Rate 77 % 0.5% Acceptance Rate 77.6% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $18,156 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,572
13	Luther College	77	84.02	1,100 – 1,370	24790	49541	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Luther College Decorah, IA Luther College started as a Lutheran seminary opened by Norwegian immigrants. The upper campus is on the National Register of Historic Places, while the Upper Iowa River flows through the lower campus. Biology/Biological Sciences, General is a popular area of study, and the school has a first year retention rate of 77%. First Year Retention Rate 77 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 84.0% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,790 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,541
14	University of Dubuque	77	88.63	950 – 1,200	25216	44960	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa University of Dubuque Dubuque, IA Located in Dubuque, the University of Dubuque’s acceptance rate is 89% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 98% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 8.5% Acceptance Rate 88.6% SAT Score 950 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $25,216 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,960
15	Saint Ambrose University	76	77.33	980 – 1,190	23578	51616	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Saint Ambrose University Davenport, IA St. Ambrose University got its start as a school of commerce for men. Today, the most popular majors are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, and General. It’s a private Catholic institution with an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. The school motto is “Faith Learning Justice.” First Year Retention Rate 76 % 8.4% Acceptance Rate 77.3% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $23,578 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,616
16	Cornell College	74	80.66	1,140 – 1,350	25850	39299	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Cornell College Mount Vernon, IA Students at Cornell College follow a “block plan,” where they attend one course at a time over a few weeks. In a year, students can expect to finish eight blocks, or courses. Classes tend to be smaller, with a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. King Chapel on campus is home to an over 3,000-piped organ. First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 80.7% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $25,850 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,299
17	Mount Mercy University	74	78.76	970 – 1,180	23972	52871	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Mount Mercy University Cedar Rapids, IA Located in Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University’s acceptance rate is 79% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Mount Mercy University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Mount Mercy University, there is a 74% first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % Acceptance Rate 78.8% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $23,972 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,871
18	Northwestern College	73.5	80.35	1,040 – 1,210	24737	46731	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Northwestern College Orange City, IA Many students - 620 to be exact - participate in sports at Northwestern College. They’re known as the Red Raiders and compete in the NAIA Division II Great Plains Athletic Conference. In the classroom, NWC has 34 majors and programs to choose from. First Year Retention Rate 74 % 8.1% Acceptance Rate 80.4% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $24,737 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,731
19	Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary	73	49.68	1,030 – 1,220	18288	33372	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary Ankeny, IA Based in Ankeny, Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary accepts 50% of applicants. They request $45 for undergraduate applications and $45 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary currently receive institutional grant aid. At Faith......Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % Acceptance Rate 49.7% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,288 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,372
20	Coe College	72.7	64.04	1,090 – 1,330	20940	47136	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA Located in Cedar Rapids, Coe College accepts 64% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 72%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 4.3% Acceptance Rate 64.0% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $20,940 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,136
21	Clarke University	72	68.16	970 – 1,150	25692	49157	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Clarke University Dubuque, IA Found in Dubuque, Clarke University’s acceptance rate is 68%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 100% of students at Clarke University currently receive grant aid from the school. On average, these students are given $23,601 each. The first year retention rate is 72%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % Acceptance Rate 68.2% SAT Score 970 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $25,692 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,157
22	Morningside University	71	70.57	1,040 – 1,210	23482	47687	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Morningside University Sioux City, IA Located in Sioux City, Morningside University accepted 71% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of students at Morningside University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 70.6% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $23,482 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,687
23	Wartburg College	70.6	99.41	1,010 – 1,200	23321	48795	#23 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Wartburg College Waverly, IA Business/Commerce, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, and Elementary Education and Teaching are popular majors at Wartburg College, whose motto is “Experience more.” The school was founded in 1852, and it moved several times between Illinois and Iowa....Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 99.4% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $23,321 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,795
24	Grand View University	68	98.43	930 – 1,140	22296	47582	#24 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Grand View University Des Moines, IA Based in Des Moines, Grand View University’s acceptance rate is 98%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 68% and 39% of students will graduate in four years. The common majors among......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 98.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $22,296 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,582
25	William Penn University	58	51.88	890 – 1,110	22361	40189	#25 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa William Penn University Oskaloosa, IA Found in Oskaloosa, William Penn University’s acceptance rate is 52% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students attending William Penn University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % 3.6% Acceptance Rate 51.9% SAT Score 890 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $22,361 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,189
26	Emmaus Bible College	57	97.7	970 – 1,240	14393	34653	#26 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Emmaus Bible College Dubuque, IA Found in Dubuque, Emmaus Bible College’s acceptance rate is 98% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 98% of students attending Emmaus Bible College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The school’s first year retention rate is 57% and 52% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 57 % Acceptance Rate 97.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $14,393 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,653
27	Graceland University-Lamoni	56	80.83	920 – 1,140	16632	40792	#27 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Graceland University-Lamoni Lamoni, IA Located in Lamoni, Graceland University-Lamoni accepted 81% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of students at Graceland University-Lamoni will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 56%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 56 % 12.5% Acceptance Rate 80.8% SAT Score 920 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $16,632 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,792
28	Upper Iowa University	55	93.38	960 – 1,130	22427	48776	#28 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Upper Iowa University Fayette, IA Based in Fayette, Upper Iowa University accepts 93% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 94% of students at Upper Iowa University will receive institutional grant aid. The institution’s first year retention rate is 55% and its four year graduation rate is......Read more First Year Retention Rate 55 % Acceptance Rate 93.4% SAT Score 960 – 1,130 Avg. Net Price $22,427 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,776
29	Maharishi International University	47	96.9	960 – 1,220	18875	26468	#29 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Maharishi International University Fairfield, IA Found in Fairfield, Maharishi International University accepted 97% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $20 for undergraduate applications. About 90% of students at Maharishi International University currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 47 % Acceptance Rate 96.9% SAT Score 960 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,875 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $26,468
30	Waldorf University	46	72.6	970 – 1,110	21510	50515	#30 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Waldorf University Forest City, IA Based in Forest City, Waldorf University accepted 73% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 90% of students attending Waldorf University will receive grant aid from the school. At Waldorf University, there is a 46% first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 46 % Acceptance Rate 72.6% SAT Score 970 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $21,510 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,515
31	Allen College	0	100	1,040 – 1,210	0	65078	#31 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Allen College Waterloo, IA First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $65,078
32	Drake University	0	63.85	1,110 – 1,350	30886	58233	#32 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Iowa Drake University Des Moines, IA First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 63.9% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $30,886 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,233