2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas

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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	Kansas State University	86	81.69	1,050 – 1,280	20527	49330	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Located in Manhattan, Kansas State University accepted 82% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $40 for undergraduate applications. About 89% of students attending Kansas State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 81.7% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $20,527 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,330
2	University of Kansas	86	93.48	1,050 – 1,310	19205	51217	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Located in Lawrence, the University of Kansas accepts 93% of applicants. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 87% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Kansas, there is a 86% first year retention rate and 53% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 93.5% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $19,205 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,217
3	Benedictine College	83	98.12	1,130 – 1,360	28629	45000	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Benedictine College Atchison, KS Benedictine College’s core values are built into the four “pillars” of the school which are known as Catholic, Benedictine, Liberal Arts, and Residential. The college’s motto is “Forward. Always Forward.” Its campus is located along the bends of the Missouri River....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % 3.8% Acceptance Rate 98.1% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,360 Avg. Net Price $28,629 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,000
4	Emporia State University	77	97.71	970 – 1,180	16094	41389	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Emporia State University Emporia, KS Based in Emporia, Emporia State University accepts 98% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 84% of students attending Emporia State University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Emporia State University, there is a 77% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 14.9% Acceptance Rate 97.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $16,094 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,389
5	Fort Hays State University	77	90.26	970 – 1,180	13186	44428	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Fort Hays State University Hays, KS Found in Hays, Fort Hays State University accepts 90% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in $30 to apply. About 82% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 90.3% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,186 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,428
6	Manhattan Christian College	77	100	970 – 1,180	24213	40023	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Manhattan Christian College Manhattan, KS Based in Manhattan, Manhattan Christian College accepts 100% of applicants and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. About 94% of students attending Manhattan Christian College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 13.2% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $24,213 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,023
7	Pittsburg State University	77	89.42	930 – 1,180	15111	43793	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS Found in Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University accepted 89% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 49% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 89.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,111 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,793
8	MidAmerica Nazarene University	70	78.8	940 – 1,140	32081	57433	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas MidAmerica Nazarene University Olathe, KS Located in Olathe, MidAmerica Nazarene University accepts 79% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 99% of students attending MidAmerica Nazarene University currently receive grant aid from the school. They receive $21,399 on average. The first year retention rate is 70%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 14.8% Acceptance Rate 78.8% SAT Score 940 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $32,081 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,433
9	Newman University	69	73.98	930 – 1,210	21050	47051	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Newman University Wichita, KS Found in Wichita, Newman University’s acceptance rate is 74%. They request $25 for undergraduate applications and $35 for graduate applications. Approximately 95% of students at Newman University will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 2.8% Acceptance Rate 74.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $21,050 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,051
10	Wichita State University	69	93.95	930 – 1,220	14228	44043	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Wichita State University Wichita, KS Found in Wichita, Wichita State University’s acceptance rate is 94%. They request $40 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 80% of students attending Wichita State University currently receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 69% and around 31% of students will graduate within four......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 94.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $14,228 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,043
11	Washburn University	68	95.51	1,010 – 1,180	11488	42881	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Washburn University Topeka, KS Based in Topeka, Washburn University’s acceptance rate is 96% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 86% of students at Washburn University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 95.5% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $11,488 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,881
12	Baker University	66	94.19	760 – 1,080	26211	54747	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Baker University Baldwin City, KS Found in Baldwin City, Baker University accepted 94% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $20 for graduate applications. About 100% of students attending Baker University will receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 66 % 10.8% Acceptance Rate 94.2% SAT Score 760 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $26,211 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,747
13	Friends University	65	55.22	870 – 1,280	28889	42960	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Friends University Wichita, KS Located in Wichita, Friends University’s acceptance rate is 55%. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 7.1% Acceptance Rate 55.2% SAT Score 870 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $28,889 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,960
14	McPherson College	65	76.76	970 – 1,180	27110	41446	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas McPherson College McPherson, KS Found in McPherson, McPherson College’s acceptance rate is 77%. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending McPherson College currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % Acceptance Rate 76.8% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $27,110 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,446
15	University of Saint Mary	65	86.63	920 – 1,160	23020	54827	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas University of Saint Mary Leavenworth, KS Based in Leavenworth, the University of Saint Mary accepts 87% of applicants. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending the University of Saint Mary will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 1.6% Acceptance Rate 86.6% SAT Score 920 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $23,020 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,827
16	Bethel College-North Newton	62	93.5	980 – 1,160	30406	40808	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Bethel College-North Newton North Newton, KS Found in North Newton, Bethel College-North Newton accepts 94% of applicants and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 62 % 3.3% Acceptance Rate 93.5% SAT Score 980 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $30,406 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,808
17	Kansas Wesleyan University	60	71.9	1,010 – 1,170	22930	44811	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Kansas Wesleyan University Salina, KS Based in Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University’s acceptance rate is 72% and requires $20 for undergraduate applications and $30 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 60 % Acceptance Rate 71.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $22,930 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,811
18	Donnelly College	58	0	--	11058	34791	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Donnelly College Kansas City, KS First Year Retention Rate 58 % 23.7% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,058 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,791
19	Ottawa University-Ottawa	58	82.96	870 – 1,100	28185	49139	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Ottawa University-Ottawa Ottawa, KS Located in Ottawa, Ottawa University-Ottawa’s acceptance rate is 83%. Undergraduates have to pay $25 to apply. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The college’s first year retention rate is 58% and 22% of students will earn their degree in......Read more First Year Retention Rate 58 % Acceptance Rate 83.0% SAT Score 870 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $28,185 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,139
20	Southwestern College	56	75.55	930 – 1,120	29488	48034	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Southwestern College Winfield, KS Based in Winfield, Southwestern College accepted 76% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 56 % 5.7% Acceptance Rate 75.6% SAT Score 930 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $29,488 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,034
21	Tabor College	53	64.58	960 – 1,140	20681	42896	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Tabor College Hillsboro, KS Based in Hillsboro, Tabor College’s acceptance rate is 65% and requests $50 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students at Tabor College will receive grant aid from the school. The school’s first year retention rate is 53% and around 40% of students will graduate within four years. Three common majors......Read more First Year Retention Rate 53 % 19.7% Acceptance Rate 64.6% SAT Score 960 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $20,681 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,896
22	Sterling College	50	48.17	970 – 1,170	23531	40722	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Sterling College Sterling, KS Located in Sterling, Sterling College accepted 48% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Sterling College will receive institutional grant aid. At Sterling College, there is a 50% first year retention rate and around 27%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 50 % 15.3% Acceptance Rate 48.2% SAT Score 970 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $23,531 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,722
23	Central Christian College of Kansas	45	52.71	920 – 1,120	12143	37685	#23 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Central Christian College of Kansas McPherson, KS Based in McPherson, Central Christian College of Kansas accepts 53% of applicants and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 86% of students attending Central Christian College of Kansas will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 45 % 23.7% Acceptance Rate 52.7% SAT Score 920 – 1,120 Avg. Net Price $12,143 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,685
24	Bethany College	43	56	860 – 1,090	28192	40805	#24 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kansas Bethany College Lindsborg, KS One of the oldest colleges in the state, Bethany College opened in 1881. 100% of students receive institutional grant aid and, as a NAIA Division II school, there are athletic scholarships available. Many choose to pursue degrees in Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other. First Year Retention Rate 43 % 12.2% Acceptance Rate 56.0% SAT Score 860 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $28,192 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,805