Academics & admissions
Best first-year retention
The share of full-time first-years who come back for a second year — the earliest signal that students are happy and supported.
96%
#1 · Hillsdale College
Division II · Great Midwest Athletic Conference · Hillsdale, MI
72%
Median
of 299 schools, Division II
1.3×
Top vs median
how far the leader sits above the middle
88%
10th place
the cut for a top-ten list
Top 15
Every school, Division II
#1 · Hillsdale Collegeevery school
The spread across 299 schools; the median is 72%.
How it is measured
Full-time retention rate, fall to fall.
Related
The full list · top 100
| # | School | Return for year two | Graduate | Student–faculty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsdale College Division II · Great Midwest Athletic Conference · Hillsdale, MI | 96% | 85% | 8:1 | |
| 2 | Bentley University Division II · Northeast 10 Conference · Waltham, MA | 93% | 88% | 12:1 | |
| 3 | Colorado School of Mines Division II · Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference · Golden, CO | 93% | 79% | 17:1 | |
| 4 | Southern Nazarene University Division II · Great American Conference · Bethany, OK | 92% | 37% | 11:1 | |
| 5 | Allen University Division II · Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf. · Columbia, SC | 90% | 13% | 16:1 | |
| 6 | Saint Anselm College Division II · Northeast 10 Conference · Manchester, NH | 90% | 83% | 11:1 | |
| 7 | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Pomona, CA | 88% | 67% | 23:1 | |
| 8 | Dominican University of California Division II · Pacific West Conference · San Rafael, CA | 88% | 76% | 8:1 | |
| 9 | Michigan Technological University Division II · Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference · Houghton, MI | 88% | 69% | 13:1 | |
| 10 | University of Texas at Dallas Division II · Lone Star Conference · Richardson, TX | 88% | 71% | 27:1 | |
| 11 | Harding University Division II · Great American Conference · Searcy, AR | 87% | 71% | 16:1 | |
| 12 | Union University Division II · Gulf South Conference · Jackson, TN | 87% | 71% | 8:1 | |
| 13 | Westmont College Division II · Pacific West Conference · Santa Barbara, CA | 87% | 70% | 10:1 | |
| 14 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Division II · Great Lakes Valley Conference · Rolla, MO | 86% | 64% | 19:1 | |
| 15 | Morehouse College Division II · Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf. · Atlanta, GA | 86% | 53% | 13:1 | |
| 16 | Point Loma Nazarene University Division II · Pacific West Conference · San Diego, CA | 86% | 74% | 13:1 | |
| 17 | Biola University Division II · Pacific West Conference · La Mirada, CA | 85% | 69% | 14:1 | |
| 18 | Cedarville University Division II · Great Midwest Athletic Conference · Cedarville, OH | 85% | 74% | 15:1 | |
| 19 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Florida) Division II · Sunshine State Conference · Daytona Beach, FL | 85% | 68% | 18:1 | |
| 20 | Rollins College Division II · Sunshine State Conference · Winter Park, FL | 85% | 77% | 13:1 | |
| 21 | Augustana University (South Dakota) Division II · Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference · Sioux Falls, SD | 84% | 76% | 11:1 | |
| 22 | Azusa Pacific University Division II · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conf. · Azusa, CA | 84% | 64% | 10:1 | |
| 23 | California State University, Chico Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Chico, CA | 84% | 64% | 20:1 | |
| 24 | Georgia College Division II · Peach Belt Conference · Milledgeville, GA | 84% | 62% | 16:1 | |
| 25 | Lewis University Division II · Great Lakes Valley Conference · Romeoville, IL | 84% | 62% | 14:1 | |
| 26 | Rockhurst University Division II · Great Lakes Valley Conference · Kansas City, MO | 84% | 76% | 12:1 | |
| 27 | Saint Michael's College Division II · Northeast 10 Conference · Colchester, VT | 84% | 69% | 10:1 | |
| 28 | San Francisco State University Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · San Francisco, CA | 84% | 50% | 16:1 | |
| 29 | South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Division II · Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference · Rapid City, SD | 84% | 58% | 12:1 | |
| 30 | Truman State University Division II · Great Lakes Valley Conference · Kirksville, MO | 84% | 68% | 12:1 | |
| 31 | University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Division II · Independent · Mayaguez, PR | 84% | 47% | 19:1 | |
| 32 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania Division II · Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference · West Chester, PA | 84% | 70% | 20:1 | |
| 33 | Adelphi University Division II · Northeast 10 Conference · Garden City, NY | 83% | 69% | 12:1 | |
| 34 | Assumption University Division II · Northeast 10 Conference · Worcester, MA | 83% | 75% | 11:1 | |
| 35 | Holy Family University Division II · Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference · Philadelphia, PA | 83% | 58% | 11:1 | |
| 36 | Maryville University of Saint Louis Division II · Great Lakes Valley Conference · St. Louis, MO | 83% | 72% | 13:1 | |
| 37 | Ouachita Baptist University Division II · Great American Conference · Arkadelphia, AR | 83% | 70% | 12:1 | |
| 38 | University of California, Merced Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Merced, CA | 83% | 69% | 21:1 | |
| 39 | University of Mary Division II · Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference · Bismarck, ND | 83% | 68% | 10:1 | |
| 40 | Anderson University (South Carolina) Division II · South Atlantic Conference · Anderson, SC | 82% | 68% | 15:1 | |
| 41 | Thomas Jefferson University Division II · Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference · Philadelphia, PA | 82% | 68% | 13:1 | |
| 42 | Wayne State University (Michigan) Division II · Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference · Detroit, MI | 82% | 57% | 13:1 | |
| 43 | Fresno Pacific University Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Fresno, CA | 81% | 56% | 8:1 | |
| 44 | Lee University Division II · Gulf South Conference · Cleveland, TN | 81% | 61% | 12:1 | |
| 45 | Molloy University Division II · East Coast Conference · Rockville Centre, NY | 81% | 73% | 10:1 | |
| 46 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Division II · Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference · Slippery Rock, PA | 81% | 66% | 20:1 | |
| 47 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Division II · Gulf South Conference · Huntsville, AL | 81% | 62% | 17:1 | |
| 48 | University of Illinois Springfield Division II · Great Lakes Valley Conference · Springfield, IL | 81% | 61% | 14:1 | |
| 49 | University of Minnesota Duluth Division II · Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference · Duluth, MN | 81% | 64% | 16:1 | |
| 50 | California State University, Stanislaus Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Turlock, CA | 80% | 58% | 16:1 | |
| 51 | Daemen University Division II · East Coast Conference · Amherst, NY | 80% | 58% | 13:1 | |
| 52 | Felician University Division II · Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference · Lodi, NJ | 80% | 49% | 15:1 | |
| 53 | Minnesota State University, Mankato Division II · Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference · Mankato, MN | 80% | 54% | 21:1 | |
| 54 | Mississippi Christian University Division II · Gulf South Conference · Clinton, MS | 80% | 63% | 14:1 | |
| 55 | Seton Hill University Division II · Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference · Greensburg, PA | 80% | 71% | 13:1 | |
| 56 | University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Division II · Independent · San Juan, PR | 80% | 52% | 12:1 | |
| 57 | University of Tampa Division II · Sunshine State Conference · Tampa, FL | 80% | 62% | 17:1 | |
| 58 | Western Washington University Division II · Great Northwest Athletic Conference · Bellingham, WA | 80% | 66% | 17:1 | |
| 59 | California State University, East Bay Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Hayward, CA | 79% | 46% | 17:1 | |
| 60 | California State University, Monterey Bay Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Seaside, CA | 79% | 63% | 16:1 | |
| 61 | Claflin University Division II · Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association · Orangeburg, SC | 79% | 49% | 13:1 | |
| 62 | Colorado Christian University Division II · Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference · Lakewood, CO | 79% | 56% | 15:1 | |
| 63 | Northwest Nazarene University Division II · Great Northwest Athletic Conference · Nampa, ID | 79% | 63% | 14:1 | |
| 64 | Northwood University Division II · Great Midwest Athletic Conference · Midland, MI | 79% | 61% | 13:1 | |
| 65 | Albany State University (Georgia) Division II · Southern Intercol. Ath. Conf. · Albany, GA | 78% | 29% | 20:1 | |
| 66 | Bemidji State University Division II · Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference · Bemidji, MN | 78% | 52% | 16:1 | |
| 67 | California State University, San Bernardino Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · San Bernardino, CA | 78% | 55% | 19:1 | |
| 68 | Fayetteville State University Division II · Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association · Fayetteville, NC | 78% | 35% | 19:1 | |
| 69 | Florida Southern College Division II · Sunshine State Conference · Lakeland, FL | 78% | 69% | 10:1 | |
| 70 | Livingstone College Division II · Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association · Salisbury, NC | 78% | 24% | 13:1 | |
| 71 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania Division II · Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference · Millersville, PA | 78% | 54% | 19:1 | |
| 72 | Pittsburg State University Division II · Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association · Pittsburg, KS | 78% | 54% | 15:1 | |
| 73 | Queens College (New York) Division II · East Coast Conference · Queens, NY | 78% | 60% | 14:1 | |
| 74 | St. Edward's University Division II · Lone Star Conference · Austin, TX | 78% | 64% | 13:1 | |
| 75 | University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon Division II · Independent · Bayamon, PR | 78% | 28% | 21:1 | |
| 76 | Winona State University Division II · Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference · Winona, MN | 78% | 60% | 15:1 | |
| 77 | Drury University Division II · Great Lakes Valley Conference · Springfield, MO | 77% | 66% | 13:1 | |
| 78 | Eckerd College Division II · Sunshine State Conference · St. Petersburg, FL | 77% | 68% | 11:1 | |
| 79 | Florida Institute of Technology Division II · Sunshine State Conference · Melbourne, FL | 77% | 65% | 13:1 | |
| 80 | Fort Hays State University Division II · Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association · Hays, KS | 77% | 48% | 14:1 | |
| 81 | Goldey-Beacom College Division II · Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference · Wilmington, DE | 77% | 57% | 18:1 | |
| 82 | Grand Valley State University Division II · Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference · Allendale, MI | 77% | 69% | 15:1 | |
| 83 | Oklahoma Christian University Division II · Lone Star Conference · Edmond, OK | 77% | 55% | 15:1 | |
| 84 | Pace University Division II · Northeast 10 Conference · Pleasantville, NY | 77% | 61% | 16:1 | |
| 85 | Roberts Wesleyan University Division II · East Coast Conference · Rochester, NY | 77% | 64% | 9:1 | |
| 86 | University of Minnesota, Crookston Division II · Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference · Crookston, MN | 77% | 50% | 17:1 | |
| 87 | University of Mount Olive Division II · Conference Carolinas · Mount Olive, NC | 77% | 46% | 19:1 | |
| 88 | University of Nebraska at Kearney Division II · Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association · Kearney, NE | 77% | 60% | 13:1 | |
| 89 | William Jewell College Division II · Great Lakes Valley Conference · Liberty, MO | 77% | 62% | 10:1 | |
| 90 | California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Division II · California Collegiate Athletic Association · Arcata, CA | 76% | 47% | 14:1 | |
| 91 | College of Staten Island Division II · East Coast Conference · Staten Island, NY | 76% | 48% | 16:1 | |
| 92 | Concordia University Irvine Division II · Pacific West Conference · Irvine, CA | 76% | 63% | 13:1 | |
| 93 | Gannon University Division II · Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference · Erie, PA | 76% | 71% | 13:1 | |
| 94 | Georgian Court University Division II · Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference · Lakewood, NJ | 76% | 55% | 10:1 | |
| 95 | Northern Michigan University Division II · Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference · Marquette, MI | 76% | 53% | 18:1 | |
| 96 | Nova Southeastern University Division II · Sunshine State Conference · Fort Lauderdale, FL | 76% | 64% | 17:1 | |
| 97 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Division II · Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference · Shippensburg, PA | 76% | 52% | 18:1 | |
| 98 | Southern Connecticut State University Division II · Northeast 10 Conference · New Haven, CT | 76% | 48% | 11:1 | |
| 99 | University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown Division II · Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference · Johnstown, PA | 76% | 54% | 14:1 | |
| 100 | Western Oregon University Division II · Great Northwest Athletic Conference · Monmouth, OR | 76% | 45% | 13:1 |
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