2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington

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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	University of Washington-Seattle Campus	95	39.15	1,230 – 1,460	11784	62979	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA As a large school, the University of Washington, Seattle has a 20 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Many freshmen come from Washington, Oregon, and California. 95% will stay on after their first year. Computer Science is a commonly pursued program. First Year Retention Rate 95 % Acceptance Rate 39.2% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,460 Avg. Net Price $11,784 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
2	Gonzaga University	93	81.69	1,260 – 1,400	40117	66525	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Gonzaga University Spokane, WA Named after the Jesuit Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, Gonzaga University sits on a 152-acre campus alongside the Spokane River. The school has a first year retention rate of 93%. 88% will graduate within six years. Part of the West Coast Conference, top sports include Basketball, Baseball, and Soccer. First Year Retention Rate 93 % 1.1% Acceptance Rate 81.7% SAT Score 1,260 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $40,117 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $66,525
3	Whitman College	87	38.15	1,330 – 1,480	37633	45594	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Whitman College Walla Walla, WA Whitman College is a small liberal arts college located at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Founded in 1859, it now offers over 80 off-campus programs in around 40 countries. With a 10 to 1 student-faculty ratio and a 1 to 1 student-to-tree ratio, students will find it a cozy and earthy community....Read more First Year Retention Rate 87 % 2.2% Acceptance Rate 38.2% SAT Score 1,330 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $37,633 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,594
4	University of Washington-Bothell Campus	86	90.6	1,230 – 1,480	10777	62979	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA Located in Bothell, the University of Washington-Bothell Campus’s acceptance rate is 91% and charges $60 for undergraduate applications. About 33% of students attending the University of Washington-Bothell Campus will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 86% of students continued studying......Read more First Year Retention Rate 86 % Acceptance Rate 90.6% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,480 Avg. Net Price $10,777 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
5	Walla Walla University	85	50.77	980 – 1,250	25505	52840	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Walla Walla University College Place, WA Walla Walla University is fairly selective, and 36% of accepted students enroll. Students experience a 14 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 85% return to the school after completing their first year. Social Work, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are popular programs. First Year Retention Rate 85 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 50.8% SAT Score 980 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $25,505 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,840
6	Northwest University	84	83.2	1,040 – 1,350	24251	50495	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Northwest University Kirkland, WA Found in Kirkland, Northwest University accepted 83% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Northwest University will receive grant aid from the school. At Northwest University, there is a 84% first year......Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 15.1% Acceptance Rate 83.2% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,350 Avg. Net Price $24,251 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,495
7	Seattle University	84	76.92	1,200 – 1,430	36948	64656	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Seattle University Seattle, WA Based in Seattle, Seattle University accepted 77% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $60 for undergraduate applications. About 98% of students attending Seattle University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 1.2% Acceptance Rate 76.9% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $36,948 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $64,656
8	University of Puget Sound	84	72.25	1,200 – 1,390	43188	46802	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA Found in Tacoma, the University of Puget Sound’s acceptance rate is 72%. Undergraduates have to pay $65 to apply. About 98% of students at the University of Puget Sound will receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 84 % 5.0% Acceptance Rate 72.3% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $43,188 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,802
9	Pacific Lutheran University	82	78.02	1,050 – 1,270	22299	52212	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA Pacific Lutheran University’s motto is “Education for Lives of Thoughtful Inquiry, Service, Leadership, and Care.” Many students study Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business Administration and Management, and General. The school opened in 1894, where tuition was $1 per week....Read more First Year Retention Rate 82 % 3.8% Acceptance Rate 78.0% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $22,299 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,212
10	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus	80	82.52	960 – 1,180	13898	62979	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA The University of Washington, Tacoma campus sits in the historic Union Station District, with views of Mount Rainier and the Port of Tacoma. The school offers up to Doctor's degrees and follows a quarter academic schedule....Read more First Year Retention Rate 80 % 2.6% Acceptance Rate 82.5% SAT Score 960 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,898 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $62,979
11	Western Washington University	79	93.25	1,160 – 1,400	24338	45272	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Located in Bellingham, Western Washington University accepts 93% of applicants and requests $70 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 90% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more First Year Retention Rate 79 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 93.3% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $24,338 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,272
12	Washington State University	78	86.64	1,030 – 1,220	18171	53510	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Washington State University Pullman, WA Found in Pullman, Washington State University’s acceptance rate is 87% and requires $70 for undergraduate applications and $90 for graduate applications. About 72% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. At Washington State University, there is a 78% first year retention rate and 41% of students will......Read more First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 86.6% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $18,171 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,510
13	Whitworth University	78	89.78	1,090 – 1,340	27605	49510	#13 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Whitworth University Spokane, WA Whitworth University’s motto is “Education of Mind and Heart.” The most common majors and programs include Business Administration and Management, General, Elementary Education and Teaching, and Biological and Physical Sciences. 78% of students return after completing their first year, and 76% will graduate within 6 years. First Year Retention Rate 78 % 2.5% Acceptance Rate 89.8% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,340 Avg. Net Price $27,605 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,510
14	Northwest College of Art & Design	77	65.98	--	14818	27505	#14 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Northwest College of Art & Design Tacoma, WA Located in Tacoma, Northwest College of Art & Design accepted 66% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. Approximately 29% of students at Northwest College of Art & Design will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 77 % 1.3% Acceptance Rate 66.0% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $14,818 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,505
15	DigiPen Institute of Technology	76	64.42	1,180 – 1,390	41779	58771	#15 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA The DigiPen Institute of Technology has 7 areas of study available to students, with a focus on computer science, music, animation, and similar fields. A private for-profit university, it also has campuses in Singapore and Spain. The school's DigiPen Academy has a Youtube and adult education program dedicated to STEM fields. First Year Retention Rate 76 % 4.1% Acceptance Rate 64.4% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,390 Avg. Net Price $41,779 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,771
16	Seattle Pacific University	72	83.4	1,050 – 1,320	25232	51496	#16 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA The motto of Seattle Pacific University is “Engaging the Culture, Changing the World.” It’s a private institution, affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, offering 81 programs....Read more First Year Retention Rate 72 % 4.0% Acceptance Rate 83.4% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $25,232 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,496
17	Central Washington University	70	90.62	930 – 1,160	19898	49398	#17 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA Located in Ellensburg, Central Washington University’s acceptance rate is 91% and requests $60 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 74% of students attending Central Washington University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 1.4% Acceptance Rate 90.6% SAT Score 930 – 1,160 Avg. Net Price $19,898 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,398
18	The Evergreen State College	70	96.37	1,080 – 1,290	18350	34774	#18 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA Based in Olympia, The Evergreen State College accepted 96% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $50 for undergraduate applications. About 78% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year retention rate is 70% and around 31% of students will......Read more First Year Retention Rate 70 % 2.9% Acceptance Rate 96.4% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $18,350 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $34,774
19	Cornish College of the Arts	69	62.21	--	41758	27580	#19 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, WA Located in Seattle, Cornish College of the Arts accepted 62% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $60 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 100% of students attending Cornish College of the Arts currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 69 % Acceptance Rate 62.2% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $41,758 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $27,580
20	Eastern Washington University	67	90.75	890 – 1,100	14767	46469	#20 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Found in Cheney, Eastern Washington University accepted 91% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $60 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 70% of students attending Eastern Washington University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more First Year Retention Rate 67 % Acceptance Rate 90.8% SAT Score 890 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $14,767 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,469
21	Saint Martin's University	65	89.8	1,000 – 1,190	29116	57998	#21 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA Located in Lacey, Saint Martin's University accepted 90% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 99% of students attending Saint Martin's University will receive institutional grant aid. 65% of students......Read more First Year Retention Rate 65 % 11.0% Acceptance Rate 89.8% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $29,116 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $57,998
22	Heritage University	57	0	--	15563	47001	#22 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by First Year Retention Rate in Washington Heritage University Toppenish, WA First Year Retention Rate 57 % 1.7% Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $15,563 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,001