2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky

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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	Centre College	88	54.36	1,210 – 1,440	23860	50073	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Centre College Danville, KY Centre College’s motto is “Doctrina Lux Mentis,” or “Learning is the Light of the Mind.” Offering up to Bachelor's degrees, the school has 26 degree programs, with Economics, Other being the most sought after. Centre also has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1. First Year Retention Rate 88 % Acceptance Rate 54.4% SAT Score 1,210 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $23,860 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,073
2	Transylvania University	87	86.55	1,180 – 1,380	25442	40447	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Transylvania University Lexington, KY It may come as no surprise, but Transylvania University’s mascot is a bat – and their school color is crimson. Halloween is a big deal at the school, featuring a week-long celebration. It ends with Pumpkinmania, where the steps of a campus building are lined with carved pumpkins....Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % 4.8% Acceptance Rate 86.6% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $25,442 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,447
3	University of Kentucky	87	92.94	1,080 – 1,310	21958	47266	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky University of Kentucky Lexington, KY Based in Lexington, the University of Kentucky’s acceptance rate is 93% and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 87% of students attending the University of Kentucky will receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 87% and around 52% of students will graduate in four years or......Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % Acceptance Rate 92.9% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $21,958 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,266
4	Kentucky Christian University	86	60.91	970 – 1,180	21099	39921	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Kentucky Christian University Grayson, KY Based in Grayson, Kentucky Christian University accepted 61% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 51% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 86% and its four year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 91.1% Acceptance Rate 60.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $21,099 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,921
5	Asbury University	83	63.4	1,080 – 1,320	23033	35563	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Asbury University Wilmore, KY Asbury University is a private Christian university located 20 minutes southwest of Lexington. The school's motto is "Academic Excellence & Spiritual Vitality. Of attending students, 100% receive grant aid — $24,516 on average. Popular majors among students include andGeneral Studies. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 63.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $23,033 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,563
6	University of Louisville	81	79.41	1,020 – 1,280	19785	46571	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky University of Louisville Louisville, KY Found in Louisville, the University of Louisville accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $30 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 91% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At the University of Louisville, there is a 81% first year retention......Read more First Year Retention Rate 81 % Acceptance Rate 79.4% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $19,785 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,571
7	Galen College of Nursing-Louisville	80	66.96	630 – 850	17734	58951	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Galen College of Nursing-Louisville Louisville, KY Located in Louisville, Galen College of Nursing-Louisville’s acceptance rate is 67% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. About 17% of students attending Galen College of Nursing-Louisville will receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 80%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 19.4% Acceptance Rate 67.0% SAT Score 630 – 850 Avg. Net Price $17,734 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,951
8	Berea College	79	19.34	1,150 – 1,320	5888	35676	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Berea College Berea, KY Berea College, founded in 1892, was the first integrated, co-educational college in the South. 100% of students who attend receive grant aid, $54,830 on average. The most popular degree programs are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 10.2% Acceptance Rate 19.3% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $5,888 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,676
9	The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary	79	55.87	1,010 – 1,270	21081	63721	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KY Located in Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary accepted 56% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 33% of students attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 55.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $21,081 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
10	Western Kentucky University	78	93.87	870 – 1,070	12548	38156	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Located in Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University accepts 94% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay $50 to apply. Approximately 91% of students attending Western Kentucky University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The institution’s first year retention rate is 78%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 93.9% SAT Score 870 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $12,548 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,156
11	Eastern Kentucky University	77	77.61	1,010 – 1,210	12279	38611	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Based in Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University’s acceptance rate is 78% and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 83% of students at Eastern Kentucky University currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 3.8% Acceptance Rate 77.6% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $12,279 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,611
12	Murray State University	76	85.68	1,000 – 1,230	10182	38473	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Murray State University Murray, KY Based in Murray, Murray State University’s acceptance rate is 86% and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 96% of students at Murray State University currently receive institutional grant aid. The first year retention rate is 76%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 85.7% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $10,182 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,473
13	Northern Kentucky University	76	67.65	970 – 1,210	9211	42105	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Located in Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University’s acceptance rate is 68%. They charge $40 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 76% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 67.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $9,211 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,105
14	Bellarmine University	75	86.11	1,130 – 1,310	23165	49819	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Bellarmine University Louisville, KY Bellarmine University is a private Catholic university providing a liberal arts education. The school has a 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 75% first year retention rate, and 60% six year graduation rate. BU is located in the Highlands neighborhood of Louisville right near the Bardstown Road corridor. First Year Retention Rate 75 % Acceptance Rate 86.1% SAT Score 1,130 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $23,165 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,819
15	University of the Cumberlands	74	98.81	900 – 1,150	14743	39046	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY Based in Williamsburg, the University of the Cumberlands’s acceptance rate is 99%. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 83% of students at the University of the Cumberlands will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 74 % 7.5% Acceptance Rate 98.8% SAT Score 900 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $14,743 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,046
16	Georgetown College	69	91.06	1,030 – 1,210	15160	40393	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Georgetown College Georgetown, KY Georgetown College dates back to 1829. During the last admissions cycle, it accepted 1,230 applicants, 26% of which enrolled. 100% of students receive grant aid, $41,739 each on average. Student athletes could also receive athletic scholarships. 551 Tigers compete in Football, Baseball, and Soccer, among other sports. First Year Retention Rate 69 % 1.5% Acceptance Rate 91.1% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $15,160 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,393
17	University of Pikeville	69	100	970 – 1,140	13227	34508	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky University of Pikeville Pikeville, KY Based in Pikeville, the University of Pikeville accepted 100% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 6.2% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $13,227 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,508
18	Midway University	68	95.14	1,050 – 1,210	30679	40738	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Midway University Midway, KY Found in Midway, Midway University accepts 95% of applicants and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. Approximately 95% of students attending Midway University currently receive institutional grant aid. 68% of students continued their studies at Midway University after completing their......Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 95.1% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $30,679 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,738
19	Brescia University	67	35.24	970 – 1,210	15634	39897	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Brescia University Owensboro, KY Brescia University opened in 1925 as the Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women. It got its current moniker in 1998 when they added master’s degree programs on Management and Curriculum and Instruction....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % 17.5% Acceptance Rate 35.2% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $15,634 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,897
20	Thomas More University	67	90.35	1,080 – 1,280	22297	47148	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Thomas More University Crestview Hills, KY Located in Crestview Hills, Thomas More University accepts 90% of applicants. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. Approximately 98% of students at Thomas More University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % Acceptance Rate 90.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $22,297 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,148
21	Morehead State University	65	77.21	1,040 – 1,240	9630	37131	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Morehead State University Morehead, KY Located in Morehead, Morehead State University accepted 77% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $30 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 71% of students at Morehead State University currently receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 65% and......Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 5.8% Acceptance Rate 77.2% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $9,630 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,131
22	Campbellsville University	64	79.74	970 – 1,180	19662	34639	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KY Based in Campbellsville, Campbellsville University’s acceptance rate is 80% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 64% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 64%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 6.7% Acceptance Rate 79.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,662 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,639
23	Kentucky State University	64	96.08	800 – 930	9397	29640	#23 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY Based in Frankfort, Kentucky State University accepts 96% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 63% of students attending Kentucky State University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 4.9% Acceptance Rate 96.1% SAT Score 800 – 930 Avg. Net Price $9,397 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $29,640
24	Simmons College of Kentucky	64	100	760 – 850	16723	22732	#24 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Simmons College of Kentucky Louisville, KY Located in Louisville, Simmons College of Kentucky accepted 100% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. Approximately 14% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 25.5% Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 760 – 850 Avg. Net Price $16,723 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $22,732
25	Spalding University	64	99.45	860 – 1,100	25999	42870	#25 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Spalding University Louisville, KY Based in Louisville, Spalding University’s acceptance rate is 99%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and $30 for graduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Spalding University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 8.6% Acceptance Rate 99.5% SAT Score 860 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $25,999 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,870
26	Union Commonwealth University	64	63.15	850 – 1,110	17124	36529	#26 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Union Commonwealth University Barbourville, KY Found in Barbourville, Union Commonwealth University’s acceptance rate is 63%. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Union Commonwealth University currently receive grant aid from the school. At Union Commonwealth University, there is a 64% first year retention rate and 23% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 64 % 10.3% Acceptance Rate 63.2% SAT Score 850 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $17,124 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,529
27	Lindsey Wilson College	63	0	--	16374	34861	#27 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Lindsey Wilson College Columbia, KY First Year Retention Rate 63 % Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $16,374 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,861
28	Alice Lloyd College	57	75.23	890 – 1,110	18600	35174	#28 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY Based in Pippa Passes, Alice Lloyd College’s acceptance rate is 75%. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some students qualify for fee waivers. About 68% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 57 % 1.7% Acceptance Rate 75.2% SAT Score 890 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $18,600 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,174
29	Kentucky Wesleyan College	53	71.6	890 – 1,140	20999	35895	#29 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Kentucky Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, KY Located in Owensboro, Kentucky Wesleyan College’s acceptance rate is 72%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At Kentucky Wesleyan College, there is a 53% first year retention rate and around 41% of undergraduates will earn a degree......Read more First Year Retention Rate 53 % 18.5% Acceptance Rate 71.6% SAT Score 890 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $20,999 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,895