SEARCHABLE GRADUATION SUCCESS RATE (GSR) DATABASE

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern has scored a 97 percent overall Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in the latest data released by the NCAA today (Nov. 4), a figure which leads the Big Ten by eight percentage points and ranks among the best scores nationally.

Northwestern football, specifically, earned a 97 percent GSR for the current cohort to mark its fourth-straight year with that score. NU leads the Big Ten by 12 percentage points in football GSR and ranks second in the nation among its FBS brethren.

Northwestern has dominated its GSR peers on the football field. Among the top five FBS programs in today's report, Northwestern is a perfect 6-0 with wins over Stanford, Rice (2), Duke (2) and Notre Dame since 2008 -- the most recent entrance year for the current cohort comprising incoming classes from 2005-08.

Eleven of NU's 19 varsity sports have perfect 100 percent GSRs. Men's golf, men's soccer, men's tennis, field hockey, women's golf, women's lacrosse, softball, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, women's cross country and volleyball achieved those perfect scores for the `Cats.

The Wildcats' men's soccer team was the lone B1G soccer program to earn a perfect 100 percent GSR for this cohort. Women's lacrosse is one of two members (along with Rutgers) of the new B1G conference that began last year to record a 100 percent GSR while NU women's swimming and diving and NU cross country are one of three B1G squads in their respective sports with a perfect 100 percent GSR. Northwestern softball and field hockey rank as one of four Big Ten programs in their sports to graduate every one of their student-athletes.

Northwestern wrestling also is of note, ranking 12th in the nation and second in the Big Ten with a 94 percent GSR.

"Today's NCAA Graduation Success Rate data gives all involved in Northwestern Athletics yet another reason to be proud of our exceptional student-athletes," Northwestern Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips said. "The first and foremost commitment we make as part of our promise of a world class academic, social and athletic experience is to be certain that our student-athletes leave as Northwestern graduates. The current GSR report shows we continue to be leaders among our peers in that respect."

The NCAA developed the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) to more accurately assess the long-term academic success of student-athletes. The rate holds institutions accountable for transfer students, unlike the federal graduation rate. The GSR also accounts for midyear enrollees and is calculated for every sport. Under the calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing transfer students who leave in good academic standing. The outgoing transfers are included in the receiving institution's GSR cohort.

The GSR allows student-athletes six years to earn their degree. The 2014-15 rate is based on student-athletes who entered college in the fall of 2008, the most recent data available. The four-year GSR rate also includes the freshman classes of 2005, 2006 and 2007. The rate shows the percentage of those student-athletes who earned a degree by the spring of 2014. This marks the 14th year GSR data has been collected.

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Northwestern University Athletics

Northwestern University Athletics

#B1GCats Pace B1G, Lead Nationally in New Graduation Data

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