Spelman College Leads in Freshman Retention

by Marlena Chertock |

Spelman College is a historically Black college in Atlanta, GA. Students walk past a campus building in the background and greenery and flowers in the foreground.

Spelman College, a UNCF-member institution, leads on freshman retention at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). At Spelman, 94.1% of first-year students return for their second year, according to the 2026 U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Freshman retention is an important measure of student success that reflects how many students return back to school after their first year.

Several UNCF-member institutions make up the top 20 HBCUs that keep the most freshmen in school, with two in the top 5:

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