The college with the highest first-year retention rate in every state

2 6 minutes read

The college with the highest first-year retention rate in every state

Getting a student to choose a college is one thing. Getting them to come back for another year is just as important.

Ranging from Ivy League universities to military academies, Business Insider calculated the college with the highest retention rate in each state.

The first-year retention rate shows the proportion of students who return to their studies in the fall for their sophomore year. It’s a metric colleges care about because it can indicate higher student satisfaction and strong academic support.

Business Insider compiled each state’s winner using provisional fall 2024 data from the Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

The retention rate covers full-time, first-time bachelor-seeking students who entered in fall 2023 and measures whether they returned for fall 2024.

The cohort size is adjusted to account for any permitted exclusions, such as a student’s death.

Business Insider also limited the data to degree-granting institutions only and set a minimum cohort size of 100 to avoid very small cohorts inflating retention rates.

Because the data is provisional, the figures could be revised and should not be considered final counts.

Here are the colleges with the highest retention rate in every state.

ALABAMA: Auburn University

Landscaped campus lawn with white flowers and trees framing a brick building with a clock tower. — Auburn University had a first-year retention rate of 95%.

Ray Tan/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 5,915

Retention rate: 95%

ALASKA: University of Alaska Fairbanks

Tall rocket monument stands beside a multi-story building with antenna dishes in a landscaped outdoor plaza. — The University of Alaska Fairbanks had a first-year retention rate of 74%.

pabradyphoto/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 451

Retention rate: 74%

ARIZONA: Arizona State University (Campus Immersion)

Historic red-brick Old Main building at Arizona State University stands behind a courtyard fountain and landscaped lawn. — Arizona State University Campus Immersion had an 87% first-year retention rate.

GummyBone/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 13,867

Retention rate: 87%

ARKANSAS: University of Arkansas

Large beige brick institutional building with rows of windows, a central entrance, lawn, sidewalk, and outdoor sculpture. — The University of Arkansas had a first-year retention rate of 86%.

neiu20001/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 6,289

Retention rate: 86%

CALIFORNIA: Claremont McKenna College

Courtyard campus with lawn, tiled-roof buildings, a glass pavilion, reflecting pool, trees, and people walking on paths. — Claremont McKenna College had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 321

Retention rate: 98%

COLORADO: United States Air Force Academy

United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel stands behind evergreen trees and a patterned plaza under a partly cloudy sky. — The United States Air Force Academy had a first-year retention rate of 97%.

sanfel/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,101

Retention rate: 97%

CONNECTICUT: United States Coast Guard Academy

Uniformed graduates sit on a football field during an outdoor commencement ceremony by the water. — The United States Coast Guard Academy had a first-year retention rate of 99%.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 287

Retention rate: 99%

DELAWARE: University of Delaware

DuPont Hall with white columns faces a green campus lawn under a clear blue sky. — The University of Delaware had a first-year retention rate of 92%.

Kirkikis/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 4,190

Retention rate: 92%

FLORIDA: University of Florida

The UF Archway known as the UF Arch on Friday, May 3, 2024 at the Heavener Hall at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. — The University of Florida had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

Matt Pendleton Photography/iStock

Adjusted first-year cohort: 6,726

Retention rate: 98%

GEORGIA: Georgia Institute of Technology (Main Campus)

Red brick campus tower with TECH sign rises behind trees under a clear blue sky. — The Georgia Institute of Technology (Main Campus) had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

CRobertson/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 3,751

Retention rate: 98%

HAWAII: University of Hawaii at Mānoa

University of Hawaii Manoa campus building with columns, lawns, trees, and an overcast sky. — The University of Hawaii at Mānoa had a first-year retention rate of 81%.

hapabapa/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 2,868

Retention rate: 81%

IDAHO: The College of Idaho

Tree-lined park with a river, large rocks, manicured grass, and a small bridge under a clear blue sky. — The College of Idaho is located in Caldwell, Idaho.

Mike Worley/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Adjusted first-year cohort: 292

Retention rate: 82%

ILLINOIS: University of Chicago

Aerial view of Gothic campus buildings at the University of Chicago with Lake Michigan and city towers beyond. — The University of Chicago had a first-year retention rate of 99%.

Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,618

Retention rate: 99%

INDIANA: University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame Main Building’s Golden Dome rises beyond a tree-lined campus walkway in autumn. — The University of Notre Dame had a first-year retention rate of 99%.

Joe Hendrickson/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 2,074

Retention rate: 99%

IOWA: Grinnell College

Grinnell College entrance sign stands on a grassy campus lawn surrounded by trees and brick buildings. — Grinnell College had a first-year retention rate of 93%.

Wolterk/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 457

Retention rate: 93%

KANSAS: University of Kansas

Students walk outside the University of Kansas Budig Hall and Hoch Auditorium entrance on a sunny campus day. — The University of Kansas had a first-year retention rate of 86%.

Wolterk/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 5,159

Retention rate: 86%

KENTUCKY: Centre College

A person sits on a grassy lawn at Centre College, Kentucky with a notebook in front of a large brick building with white columns. — Centre College had a first-year retention rate of 88%.

Courtesy of Centre College

Adjusted first-year cohort: 360

Retention rate: 88%

LOUISIANA: Tulane University of Louisiana

Historic stone building and shaded lawn with a tall hanging ribbon installation under a clear blue sky. — Tulane University of Louisiana had a first-year retention rate of 93%.

Laser1987/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,866

Retention rate: 93%

MAINE: Bowdoin College

Red brick and stone Gothic-style building facade with crenellations and pointed spires against a blue sky. — Bowdoin College had a first-year retention rate of 97%.

rossandgaffney/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Adjusted first-year cohort: 504

Retention rate: 97%

MARYLAND: Johns Hopkins University

Red-brick institutional buildings with white-trimmed windows stand behind a broad green lawn under a cloudy sky. — Johns Hopkins University had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

Amy Sparwasser/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,413

Retention rate: 98%

MASSACHUSETTS: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

People gather outside the columned entrance of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's William Barton Rogers Building. — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology had a first-year retention rate of 99%.

HABesen/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,090

Retention rate: 99%

MICHIGAN: Hillsdale College

A person sits on a bench with a notebook outside a large brick building with columns and arched windows. — Hillsdale College had a first-year retention rate of 97%.

Chris duMond/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 349

Retention rate: 97%

MINNESOTA: Carleton College

Historic stone Wills Hall with a clock tower stands on a campus lawn under a clear blue sky. — Carleton College had a first-year retention rate of 96%

Cynthia Shirk/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 538

Retention rate: 96%

MISSISSIPPI: University of Mississippi

Lyceum Building at Ole Miss, showing pathway and gardens — The University of Mississippi had a first-year retention rate of 87%.

Gerald Zaffuts/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 5,185

Retention rate: 87%

MISSOURI: Washington University in St. Louis

Brookings Hall at Washington University in St. Louis stands behind a brick walkway and green campus lawn. — Washington University in St. Louis had a first-year retention rate of 95%.

JByard/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,823

Retention rate: 95%

MONTANA: Carroll College

Aerial view of Carroll College Nelson Stadium with football field, bleachers, campus buildings, and surrounding trees. — Carroll College had a first-year retention rate of 82%.

GummyBone/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 273

Retention rate: 82%

NEBRASKA: Creighton University

Stone church with twin spires and crosses stands beside Creighton banners on a landscaped campus plaza. — Creighton University had a first-year retention rate of 94%.

Wolterk/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,043

Retention rate: 94%

NEVADA: University of Nevada-Reno

Historic brick building stands beyond a broad lawn framed by trees and glowing lights at dusk. — The University of Nevada-Reno had a first-year retention rate of 80%.

Wirestock/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Adjusted first-year cohort: 3,388

Retention rate: 80%

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Dartmouth College

Baker-Berry Library’s clock tower rises above a brick campus building framed by trees and lawn. — Dartmouth College had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

arlutz73/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,206

Retention rate: 98%

NEW JERSEY: Princeton University

Ivy-covered Gothic stone campus building with an arched passageway beneath a cloudy sky. — Princeton University had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

Brian Logan/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,332

Retention rate: 98%

NEW MEXICO: New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Radio telescope dishes line a desert plain beneath a blue sky with scattered clouds. — New Mexico Tech is located in Socorro, New Mexico.

Greg Meland/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Adjusted first-year cohort: 222

Retention rate: 77%

NEW YORK: Columbia University in the City of New York

People sit on the steps outside Columbia University’s Low Memorial Library beneath the Alma Mater statue. — Columbia University had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

Form and Flora/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,498

Retention rate: 98%

NORTH CAROLINA: Duke University

Aerial view of Duke University Chapel and surrounding Gothic campus buildings at sunset. — Duke University had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

CRobertson/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,741

Retention rate: 98%

NORTH DAKOTA: University of Mary

People with backpacks walk outside the LUMEN VITAE UNIVERSITY CENT entrance on a sunny campus walkway. — The University of Mary had a first-year retention rate of 84%.

Courtesy of Mike McCleary, University of Mary

Adjusted first-year cohort: 559

Retention rate: 84%

OHIO: Ohio State University (Main Campus)

Red The Ohio State University sign stands on a grassy campus lawn with autumn trees and buildings. — Ohio State University (Main Campus) had a first-year retention rate of 94%.

BSPollard/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 8,028

Retention rate: 94%

OKLAHOMA: University of Tulsa

Aerial view of a university campus quadrangle with lawns, intersecting walkways, academic buildings, and a sunset sky. — The University of Tulsa had a first-year retention rate of 92%.

Courtesy of University of Tulsa

Adjusted first-year cohort: 558

Retention rate: 92%

OREGON: Lewis & Clark College

Three people sit beside a reflecting pool below stone terraces and a large house surrounded by lush gardens. — Lewis & Clark College had a first-year retention rate of 89%.

Courtesy of Lewis & Clarke College

Adjusted first-year cohort: 536

Retention rate: 89%

PENNSYLVANIA: University of Pennsylvania

Old Main at Penn State stands behind snow-covered grounds under a clear blue sky. — The University of Pennsylvania had a first-year retention rate of 99%.

Dmitry Vinogradov/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 2,415

Retention rate: 99%

RHODE ISLAND: Brown University

Red brick historic building with arched entrance, stairs, trees, and lampposts under a blue sky. — Brown University had a first-year retention rate of 99%.

tupungato/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,692

Retention rate: 99%

SOUTH CAROLINA: Clemson University

Clemson University’s red brick clock tower stands behind trees and a seated statue on landscaped campus grounds. — Clemson University had a first-year retention rate of 93%.

CRobertson/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 4,488

Retention rate: 93%

SOUTH DAKOTA: Augustana University

Snow-covered trees surround a stone fountain in front of brick campus-style buildings under a clear blue sky. — Augustana University had a first-year retention rate of 86%.

Wirestock/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 454

Retention rate: 86%

TENNESSEE: Vanderbilt University

A statue and illuminated stone monument stand in a brick campus courtyard with autumn trees and red brick buildings. — Vanderbilt University had a first-year retention rate of 96%.

CRobertson/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,612

Retention rate: 96%

TEXAS: Rice University

Rice University entrance sign with owl crest stands beside trees and a campus walkway. — Rice University had a first-year retention rate of 97%.

JHVEPhoto/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,118

Retention rate: 97%

UTAH: Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University scoreboard with a large Y logo stands beyond trees and a field below mountains.

Brigham Young University had a first-year retention rate of 91%.

CRobertson/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 3,367

Retention rate: 91%

VERMONT: Middlebury College

Aerial view of Middlebury College campus with Old Chapel, tree-lined lawns, stone buildings, and distant mountains. — Middlebury College had a first-year retention rate of 94%.

Courtesy of Middlebury College

Adjusted first-year cohort: 615

Retention rate: 94%

VIRGINIA: University of Virginia (Main Campus)

The Rotunda at the University of Virginia stands behind broad steps under a blue, partly cloudy sky. — The University of Virginia (Main Campus) had a first-year retention rate of 98%.

Leonid Andronov/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 3,965

Retention rate: 98%

WASHINGTON: University of Washington (Seattle campus)

Drumheller Fountain sprays in front of brick University of Washington campus buildings under a cloudy blue sky. — The University of Washington (Seattle Campus) had a first-year retention rate of 95%.

gmc3101/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 6,928

Retention rate: 95%

WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia University

Red-brick university buildings with a lit clock tower surround a landscaped courtyard at sunset. — West Virginia University had a first-year retention rate of 83%.

BackyardProduction/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Adjusted first-year cohort: 4,370

Retention rate: 83%

WISCONSIN: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Red brick collegiate building with arched entrance and pedestrians on a sunny tree-lined campus walkway. — The University of Wisconsin-Madison had a first-year retention rate of 96%.

GummyBone/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 7,937

Retention rate: 96%

WYOMING: University of Wyoming

Glass greenhouse structure stands beside a brick building on a landscaped lawn under a partly cloudy sky. — The University of Wyoming had a first-year retention rate of 80%.

GummyBone/Getty Images

Adjusted first-year cohort: 1,422

Retention rate: 80%

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