2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon

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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	Lewis & Clark College	89	78.49	1,240 – 1,400	37999	43608	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Lewis & Clark College Portland, OR Based in Portland, Lewis & Clark College accepts 78% of applicants. Undergraduates have to send in unknown to apply. Approximately 100% of students at Lewis & Clark College will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 89 % 8.5% Acceptance Rate 78.5% SAT Score 1,240 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $37,999 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,608
2	Oregon State University	88	77.3	1,160 – 1,400	22467	50843	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Based in Corvallis, Oregon State University’s acceptance rate is 77% and requests $65 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 89% of students at Oregon State University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 88 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 77.3% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $22,467 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,843
3	Reed College	88	24.61	1,320 – 1,520	30953	38607	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Reed College Portland, OR Founded in 1908, Reed College requires all undergraduates to complete a thesis with a 90-minute presentation and oral defense. Students also need to take various physical education courses. Reed has a 9 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 88% first year retention rate. Many major in English Language and Literature, General. First Year Retention Rate 88 % 2.3% Acceptance Rate 24.6% SAT Score 1,320 – 1,520 Avg. Net Price $30,953 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,607
4	University of Portland	88	89.17	1,180 – 1,380	30985	67913	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon University of Portland Portland, OR A non selective school, the University of Portland accepted 7,400 of applicants, 10% of which enrolled. It’s a private Catholic University, sister to the University of Notre Dame, and affiliated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. 79% of undergraduates graduate within six years. First Year Retention Rate 88 % 6.0% Acceptance Rate 89.2% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $30,985 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $67,913
5	Willamette University	87	77.09	1,270 – 1,450	29421	38932	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Willamette University Salem, OR Willamette University is the oldest college in the Western United States, having opened in 1842. It has an 87% first year retention rate, 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 76% six year graduation rate. Willamette offers 34 programs, and many study Law, Business Administration and Management, and General. First Year Retention Rate 87 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 77.1% SAT Score 1,270 – 1,450 Avg. Net Price $29,421 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,932
6	University of Oregon	86	88.3	1,140 – 1,370	24605	46084	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon University of Oregon Eugene, OR Found in Eugene, the University of Oregon accepts 88% of applicants. They charge $65 for undergraduate applications and $70 for graduate applications. Approximately 79% of students attending the University of Oregon will receive grant aid from the school. At the University of Oregon, there is a 86% first year retention rate......Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 88.3% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $24,605 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,084
7	George Fox University	83	93.51	1,060 – 1,340	32171	53568	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon George Fox University Newberg, OR George Fox University is a private Christian institution with an 83% first year retention rate and 17 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. GFU’s student athletes are known as the Bruins. Wearing navy blue and gold, they compete in the NCAA Division III with football Northwest Conference. First Year Retention Rate 83 % 7.8% Acceptance Rate 93.5% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $32,171 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,568
8	Linfield University	80	85.17	1,050 – 1,240	29936	70643	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Linfield University McMinnville, OR Linfield College became Linfield University in 2020, but the school has roots going back to 1858, when it was called the Baptist College of McMinnville. Its motto is “Connecting Learning, Life and Community.” Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse is the most popular program by far....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 85.2% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $29,936 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $70,643
9	Pacific University	79	89.56	940 – 1,290	35235	46936	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Pacific University Forest Grove, OR Although Pacific University is nonsectarian today, it still works closely with the United Church of Christ, who was instrumental in the institution’s founding. There are currently more graduate students than undergraduates. Pacific University was a founding member of the Northwest Conference, which the Boxers participate in. First Year Retention Rate 79 % 3.9% Acceptance Rate 89.6% SAT Score 940 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $35,235 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,936
10	Corban University	78	93.9	1,020 – 1,190	27119	41735	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Corban University Salem, OR Corban University is non selective. During the last admissions cycle, 27% of those who were accepted enrolled at the school. There are 28 majors and programs to choose from, with Business Administration and Management, General, Divinity/Ministry, Education, and General among the most popular. First Year Retention Rate 78 % 4.9% Acceptance Rate 93.9% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $27,119 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,735
11	Bushnell University	76	67.28	970 – 1,040	22907	43484	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Bushnell University Eugene, OR Located in Eugene, Bushnell University’s acceptance rate is 67% and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. They are given $20,820 on average. The first year retention rate is 76%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 7.0% Acceptance Rate 67.3% SAT Score 970 – 1,040 Avg. Net Price $22,907 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,484
12	Portland State University	76	90.87	970 – 1,220	10195	46937	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Portland State University Portland, OR Located in Portland, Portland State University accepts 91% of applicants and requires $60 for undergraduate applications and $67 for graduate applications. About 60% of students at Portland State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 76 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 90.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $10,195 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,937
13	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus	75	63.11	1,150 – 1,320	19772	50843	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, OR First Year Retention Rate 75 % 3.8% Acceptance Rate 63.1% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $19,772 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,843
14	Western Oregon University	73	98.1	930 – 1,150	14006	42537	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Western Oregon University Monmouth, OR Located in Monmouth, Western Oregon University’s acceptance rate is 98%. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. About 90% of students at Western Oregon University will receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students are given $3,925 each. The first year retention rate is 73%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 73 % 3.9% Acceptance Rate 98.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $14,006 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,537
15	Eastern Oregon University	71	98.31	930 – 1,150	18125	43034	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Eastern Oregon University La Grande, OR Based in La Grande, Eastern Oregon University accepted 98% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 81% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. At Eastern Oregon University,......Read more First Year Retention Rate 71 % 6.0% Acceptance Rate 98.3% SAT Score 930 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $18,125 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,034
16	Oregon Institute of Technology	69	95.02	990 – 1,280	16831	68301	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, OR Based in Klamath Falls, Oregon Institute of Technology accepted 95% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to send in $50 to apply. About 91% of students at Oregon Institute of Technology currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 5.5% Acceptance Rate 95.0% SAT Score 990 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $16,831 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $68,301
17	Pacific Northwest College of Art	69	74.85	--	39710	24101	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, OR Found in Portland, Pacific Northwest College of Art accepted 75% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests unknown to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 100% of students attending Pacific Northwest College of Art will receive grant aid from the school. The institution’s first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % 9.5% Acceptance Rate 74.9% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $39,710 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,101
18	Southern Oregon University	68	88.62	980 – 1,230	17959	39326	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Oregon Southern Oregon University Ashland, OR Located in Ashland, Southern Oregon University’s acceptance rate is 89%. They charge $60 for undergraduate applications and $60 for graduate applications. About 86% of students at Southern Oregon University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 68%....Read more First Year Retention Rate 68 % Acceptance Rate 88.6% SAT Score 980 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $17,959 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,326