2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland

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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	Johns Hopkins University	98.09	6.44	1,520 – 1,580	22844	86306	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 and named for its first benefactor. The first research university in the country, its motto in Latin is “veritas vos liberabit,” or “the truth will set you free.” The Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team plays in the Big Ten Conference as an affiliate member and has over 40 national titles....Read more First Year Retention Rate 98 % Acceptance Rate 6.4% SAT Score 1,520 – 1,580 Avg. Net Price $22,844 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,306
2	University of Maryland-College Park	96.2	44.8	1,400 – 1,540	15833	67785	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD University of Maryland, the state's flagship university, is home to six libraries, the ANSC campus farm, and the UMD golf course. Often called a Public Ivy, it offers an education comparable to Ivy League schools and has extremely high research activity. Computer Science is the most popular undergraduate major. First Year Retention Rate 96 % Acceptance Rate 44.8% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $15,833 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,785
3	United States Naval Academy	96	9.36	1,200 – 1,420	0	63721	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD A public undergraduate school, the United States Naval Academy’s motto, in Latin, is “Ex Scientia Tridens,” or “From Knowledge, Seapower.” It was established in 1845 and saw disruption and riots during the Civil War that almost caused the government to move the school. Today, it has a 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. First Year Retention Rate 96 % 1.0% Acceptance Rate 9.4% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
4	Women's Institute of Torah Seminary and College	96	96.15	--	13844	63721	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Women's Institute of Torah Seminary and College Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Women's Institute of Torah Seminary and College accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 4% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Women's......Read more First Year Retention Rate 96 % 0.0% Acceptance Rate 96.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,844 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
5	Ner Israel Rabbinical College	95	79.41	--	11734	53468	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Ner Israel Rabbinical College Baltimore, MD Based in Baltimore, Ner Israel Rabbinical College accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $100 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 70% of students at Ner Israel Rabbinical College will receive grant aid from the school. At Ner Israel Rabbinical College, there is a 95%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 95 % 0.0% Acceptance Rate 79.4% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,734 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,468
6	Loyola University Maryland	87	75.49	1,230 – 1,390	31857	64453	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Loyola University Maryland accepted 75% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge $60 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. Approximately 99% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % Acceptance Rate 75.5% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $31,857 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,453
7	St. Mary's College of Maryland	86	68.63	1,160 – 1,350	20679	52286	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's City, MD Founded in 1840, St. Mary’s College of Maryland was originally known as St. Mary’s Female Seminary. It shares its campus with Historic St. Mary’s City, which was the state’s first colony and capital. A majority of students attending today are female, but the school has been co-educational since 1949. First Year Retention Rate 86 % Acceptance Rate 68.6% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $20,679 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,286
8	Maryland Institute College of Art	85	77.29	1,060 – 1,290	43066	33451	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Maryland Institute College of Art’s acceptance rate is 77%. They request $70 for undergraduate applications and $75 for graduate applications. About 100% of students attending Maryland Institute College of Art currently receive grant aid from the school. At Maryland Institute College of Art, there is a......Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % 3.4% Acceptance Rate 77.3% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $43,066 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $33,451
9	University of Maryland-Baltimore County	85	72.43	1,240 – 1,420	17704	55137	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland University of Maryland-Baltimore County Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County’s acceptance rate is 72%. They request $75 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 82% of students at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County will receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 85 % Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,704 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,137
10	Washington College	83.91	56.89	1,160 – 1,400	33553	48763	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Washington College Chestertown, MD The Washington College dates back to 1723 when it began as the Kent County Free School, making it the 10th oldest college in the United States. It was also the first college chartered after the American Revolution, and George Washington was heavily involved in the founding. The school received its current name in 1782. First Year Retention Rate 84 % Acceptance Rate 56.9% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $33,553 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,763
11	Towson University	83	81.98	950 – 1,240	15064	54302	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Towson University Towson, MD Located in Towson, Towson University accepted 82% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $50 for undergraduate applications. About 51% of students attending Towson University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 83 % Acceptance Rate 82.0% SAT Score 950 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $15,064 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,302
12	St. John's College	82.14	55.14	1,280 – 1,440	27729	56669	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland St. John's College Annapolis, MD Based in Annapolis, St- John's College’s acceptance rate is 55% and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 65% of students at St- John's College will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % Acceptance Rate 55.1% SAT Score 1,280 – 1,440 Avg. Net Price $27,729 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,669
13	Washington Adventist University	82	45.36	800 – 1,100	16732	40114	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Washington Adventist University Takoma Park, MD Found in Takoma Park, Washington Adventist University accepts 45% of applicants and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. The school’s first year retention rate is 82% and its four year graduation rate is 19%. The three most popular majors......Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 18.8% Acceptance Rate 45.4% SAT Score 800 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $16,732 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,114
14	Goucher College	79	77.7	1,120 – 1,340	28749	40563	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Goucher College Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Goucher College accepted 78% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 99% of students attending Goucher College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 77.7% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $28,749 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,563
15	Stevenson University	79	78.91	1,010 – 1,190	28201	54574	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Based in Owings Mills, Stevenson University accepted 79% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Stevenson University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 79% of......Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % Acceptance Rate 78.9% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $28,201 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,574
16	Salisbury University	77.7	87.47	1,170 – 1,330	17931	51926	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Salisbury University Salisbury, MD Found in Salisbury, Salisbury University accepts 87% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. About 88% of students attending Salisbury University currently receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % Acceptance Rate 87.5% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $17,931 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,926
17	Capitol Technology University	77	11.03	1,020 – 1,230	23223	76545	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Capitol Technology University Laurel, MD Found in Laurel, Capitol Technology University accepts 11% of applicants. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students attending Capitol Technology University will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % Acceptance Rate 11.0% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $23,223 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $76,545
18	Notre Dame of Maryland University	77	86.49	920 – 1,140	22552	63918	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Notre Dame of Maryland University Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, Notre Dame of Maryland University accepted 86% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. About 100% of students attending Notre Dame of Maryland University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more......Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 9.4% Acceptance Rate 86.5% SAT Score 920 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $22,552 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,918
19	McDaniel College	76	77.93	1,060 – 1,250	23088	47879	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland McDaniel College Westminster, MD McDaniel College, originally founded in 1867 as Western Maryland College, is a private liberal arts school. 100% of students who attend receive grant aid, $39,979 on average. With a 13 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 56 will graduate in 4 years....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 77.9% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $23,088 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,879
20	Morgan State University	76	82.23	850 – 1,080	15350	40065	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Morgan State University Baltimore, MD Morgan State University got its start in 1867 as the Centenary Biblical Institute. It changed its name in 1890 to honor Lyttleton Morgan and became a university in 1975. MSU’s 100-acre campus is a designated national historic site. The school accepts 82% of applicants and awards up to Doctor's degrees. First Year Retention Rate 76 % Acceptance Rate 82.2% SAT Score 850 – 1,080 Avg. Net Price $15,350 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,065
21	Coppin State University	73	49.56	860 – 1,040	7684	42243	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Coppin State University Baltimore, MD Found in Baltimore, Coppin State University accepts 50% of applicants. They request $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. Approximately 77% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. They are given $9,911 on average. The first year retention rate is 73%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 19.7% Acceptance Rate 49.6% SAT Score 860 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $7,684 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,243
22	Mount St. Mary's University	71	73.81	1,050 – 1,280	25298	48915	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, MD Found in Emmitsburg, Mount St- Mary's University accepted 74% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. About 100% of students attending Mount St- Mary's University will receive institutional grant aid. At Mount St- Mary's University, there is a 71%......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % Acceptance Rate 73.8% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $25,298 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,915
23	Frostburg State University	69	89.2	980 – 1,210	16521	43638	#23 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD Based in Frostburg, Frostburg State University’s acceptance rate is 89%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 87% of students at Frostburg State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 89.2% SAT Score 980 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $16,521 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,638
24	Bowie State University	68	75	770 – 980	16117	43877	#24 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Bowie State University Bowie, MD Part of the University System of Maryland, Bowie State University is one of the oldest HBCUs in the United States. It’s somewhat selective, and many undergraduates choose to study Business Administration and Management, General, Criminal Justice/Safety Studies, Psychology, and General. First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 75.0% SAT Score 770 – 980 Avg. Net Price $16,117 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,877
25	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	66	90.36	850 – 1,010	14595	34624	#25 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 66% first year retention rate. Biology/Biological Sciences, General is a commonly chosen major, though there are nearly 40 available areas of study. A NCAA Division I without football school, 190 athletes are known as Hawks. First Year Retention Rate 66 % 9.4% Acceptance Rate 90.4% SAT Score 850 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $14,595 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,624
26	University of Baltimore	65	85.55	1,010 – 1,110	17253	48197	#26 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland University of Baltimore Baltimore, MD Located in Baltimore, the University of Baltimore’s acceptance rate is 86% and charges $35 for undergraduate applications. About 77% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The first year retention rate is 65%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 16.7% Acceptance Rate 85.6% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $17,253 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,197
27	Strayer University-Maryland	60	0	--	18092	36582	#27 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Strayer University-Maryland Suitland, MD First Year Retention Rate 60 % 0.0% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $18,092 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,582
28	University of Maryland Global Campus	53	76.33	--	14545	58051	#28 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD Found in Adelphi, the University of Maryland Global Campus accepts 76% of applicants. They request $50 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 16% of students at the University of Maryland Global Campus currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 53 % 0.0% Acceptance Rate 76.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,545 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,051
29	Hood College	0	77.77	930 – 1,180	23462	48415	#29 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland Hood College Frederick, MD First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate 77.8% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $23,462 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,415
30	SANS Technology Institute	0	0	--	0	66389	#30 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland SANS Technology Institute North Bethesda, MD First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $66,389
31	University of Maryland, Baltimore	0	0	--	0	82754	#31 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Maryland University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MD First Year Retention Rate -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $0 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $82,754