25 Universities With the Most Happy Freshmen

As you look over all the varied colleges you could attend, here’s a great question to ask yourself: How happy are the freshmen there?
A good sign that the freshmen are satisfied with their school is when they return for another year.
Here is a list of the 25 colleges and universities with the happiest freshmen using this measure.

According to the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, these colleges enjoy the highest freshmen retention rates. The college rankings below we’re compiled for Forbes Magazine.

25 Highest Retention Rates:
Yale University (CT)
Swarthmore College (PA)
Princeton University (NJ)
Stanford University (CA)
Williams College (MA)
California Institute of Technology
University of Chicago (IL)
Harvard University (MA)
Columbia University (NY)
Dartmouth College (NH)
University of Pennsylvania
Notre Dame University (IN)
U.S. Naval Academy (MD)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Virginia
Hillsdale College (MI)
Washington University, St. Louis (MO)
Rice University (TX)
Middlebury College (VT)
Brown University (RI)
Duke University (NC)
Haverford College (PA)
Carleton College (MN)
Pomona College (CA)
Davidson College (NC)

Yale, is the No. 1 school on the happy freshmen list, with 99% of its freshmen returning for the second year!

Maybe it’s not surprising that the colleges on this list are almost all elite and ivy league institutions. These schools attract extremely bright students and cost a good deal. But when you are choosing your future education and considering a career where the reputation of an elite school will get you in the door faster, the price may be worth it. If the ends justify the means, then that would explain why these freshman are happy and full of hope for landing that big life changing job in the future. Elite schools are not for everybody, but if you have big dreams they may be very well worth it for you. And judging by the stats above, you may be happier attending as well!