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Highest first-year retention — U.S. universities

These 50 U.S. universities rank highest by full-time first-year retention, drawn from 1817 institutions with reported data in the most recent U.S. Department of Education release (2024-25). Alaska Bible College (Palmer, AK) leads at 100%.

#InstitutionFirst-year retention
1Alaska Bible CollegeAK · Private100%
2American Baptist CollegeTN · Private100%
3American Islamic CollegeIL · Private100%
4American University of Health SciencesCA · Private for-profit100%
5Arizona College of Nursing-ClevelandOH · Private for-profit100%
6Arizona College of Nursing-OntarioCA · Private for-profit100%
7Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Public100%
8Bethlehem College & SeminaryMN · Private100%
9Beulah Heights UniversityGA · Private100%
10Cambridge CollegeMA · Private100%
11Carolina College of Biblical StudiesNC · Private100%
12Chamberlain University-CaliforniaCA · Private for-profit100%
13Chamberlain University-IndianaIN · Private for-profit100%
14Chamberlain University-VirginiaVA · Private for-profit100%
15Charter Oak State CollegeCT · Public100%
16College of Biblical Studies-HoustonTX · Private100%
17Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel AleksanderNY · Private100%
18Criswell CollegeTX · Private100%
19Curtis Institute of MusicPA · Private100%
20Davis CollegeNY · Private100%
21DeVry University-FloridaFL · Private for-profit100%
22DeVry University-New JerseyNJ · Private for-profit100%
23Eagle Gate College-MurrayUT · Private for-profit100%
24Grace School of TheologyTX · Private100%
25Great Northern UniversityWA · Private100%
26Heritage Bible CollegeNC · Private100%
27Humphreys University-Stockton and Modesto CampusesCA · Private100%
28Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical SeminaryNY · Private100%
29Keser Torah-Mayan HatalmudNJ · Private100%
30Manna UniversityNC · Private100%
31Mount Angel SeminaryOR · Private100%
32Ottawa University-OnlineKS · Private100%
33Pacific Islands UniversityGU · Private100%
34Pacific States UniversityCA · Private100%
35Pontifical College JosephinumOH · Private100%
36Remington College-Online DallasTX · Private100%
37Saint Anthony College of NursingIL · Private100%
38South University-Virginia BeachVA · Private for-profit100%
39South University-West Palm BeachFL · Private for-profit100%
40St. John Vianney College SeminaryFL · Private100%
41Strayer University-District of ColumbiaDC · Private for-profit100%
42Strayer University-MarylandMD · Private for-profit100%
43Strayer University-South CarolinaSC · Private for-profit100%
44Strayer University-TennesseeTN · Private for-profit100%
45Strayer University-TexasTX · Private for-profit100%
46Talmudic College of FloridaFL · Private100%
47Torah Temimah Talmudical SeminaryNY · Private100%
48Trine University-Regional/Non-Traditional CampusesIN · Private100%
49Universidad Pentecostal MizpaPR · Private100%
50Universidad Teologica del CaribePR · Private100%

A data ranking — not an Ibex endorsement or quality rating. Ranked solely on the metric named above using the most recent College Scorecard & IPEDS release, which lags the current academic year by 2–3 years. Institutions that do not report this metric are excluded. Figures and peer context appear on each institution’s profile.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard & IPEDS (most recent release, 2024-25), with Census ACS, BLS Employment Projections, WICHE & the FSA Direct Loan Dashboard. Compiled by Ibex Insights. For informational benchmarking only — not financial, investment, or accreditation advice. See the methodology.