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Colleges where the most freshmen return

Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.

Colleges where the most freshmen return693 schools

693 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
  • Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by retention rate, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Curtis Institute of Music

    Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit

    #1 in Pennsylvania

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 96% graduate
  2. 1

    American College of Healthcare Sciences

    Portland, OR · Private for-profit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 100% graduate
  3. 1

    Manna University

    Fayetteville, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 80% graduate
  4. 1

    Career Networks Institute

    Santa Ana, CA · Private for-profit

    Top 5% for graduation

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 89% graduate
  5. 1

    Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

    Concord, NC · Private nonprofit

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 71% graduate
  6. 1

    Charter Oak State College

    New Britain, CT · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 67% graduate
  7. 1

    Chamberlain University-Virginia

    Vienna, VA · Private for-profit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 100% graduate
  8. 1

    PCI College

    Cerritos, CA · Private for-profit

    Excellent: Compass grade A-

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 68% graduate
  9. 1

    Ranken Technical College

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit

    #5 in Missouri

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 53% graduate
  10. 1

    Sumner College

    Portland, OR · Private for-profit

    Top 8% for graduation

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 83% graduate
  11. 1

    Felbry College

    Columbus, OH · Private for-profit

    Top 4% for graduation

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 91% graduate
  12. 1

    Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses

    Stockton, CA · Private nonprofit

    Top 5% for low net price

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 62% graduate
  13. 1

    West Coast University-Orange County

    Anaheim, CA · Private for-profit

    Top 2% for earnings

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 60% graduate
  14. 1

    Wade College

    Dallas, TX · Private for-profit

    #15 in Texas

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 54% graduate
  15. 1

    New York School of Interior Design

    New York, NY · Private nonprofit

    Top 22% for graduation

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 69% graduate
  16. 1

    American University of Health Sciences

    Signal Hill, CA · Private for-profit

    Top 3% for earnings

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 50% graduate
  17. 1

    Criswell College

    Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit

    #25 in Texas

    • 100% of freshmen return
    • 50% graduate
  18. 18

    University of Chicago

    Chicago, IL · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Illinois

    • 99% of freshmen return
    • 96% graduate
  19. 19

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Massachusetts

    • 99% of freshmen return
    • 96% graduate
  20. 19

    University of Notre Dame

    Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Indiana

    • 99% of freshmen return
    • 95% graduate
  21. 21

    University of Pennsylvania

    Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll

    Top 1% for earnings

    • 99% of freshmen return
    • 97% graduate
  22. 22

    Brown University

    Providence, RI · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll

    #1 in Rhode Island

    • 99% of freshmen return
    • 96% graduate
  23. 23

    Yale University

    New Haven, CT · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll

    #1 in Connecticut

    • 99% of freshmen return
    • 96% graduate
  24. 24

    United States Coast Guard Academy

    New London, CT · PublicHonor Roll

    Top 3% for graduation

    • 99% of freshmen return
    • 93% graduate
  25. 25

    Dartmouth College

    Hanover, NH · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor Roll

    #1 in New Hampshire

    • 98% of freshmen return
    • 96% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Curtis Institute of Music———96%
American College of Healthcare Sciences$23,782$13,523—100%
Manna University$15,210$13,450—80%
Career Networks Institute$49,677$25,899$45,25689%
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences$17,618$16,000$58,70871%
Charter Oak State College$15,815$18,683$64,20967%
Chamberlain University-Virginia$33,199$20,919$92,405100%
PCI College$27,439$17,542$36,14168%
Ranken Technical College$18,795$12,000$55,95553%
Sumner College$29,411$16,500$46,63983%
Felbry College$57,632$17,000—91%
Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto Campuses$5,524$35,500$39,24862%
West Coast University-Orange County$32,879$32,946$102,67260%
Wade College$20,778$22,938$36,65754%
New York School of Interior Design$45,271—$48,04169%
American University of Health Sciences—$40,326$93,61050%
Criswell College$21,630$25,346$43,18550%
University of Chicago$14,860$15,000$91,88596%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology$20,111$14,768$143,37296%
University of Notre Dame$26,780$19,000$99,98095%
University of Pennsylvania$28,699$15,715$111,37197%
Brown University$25,184$11,428$93,48796%
Yale University$23,777$12,975$100,53396%
United States Coast Guard Academy———93%
Dartmouth College$29,519$17,500$97,43496%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

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