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'Cats Top FBS Institutions in Graduation Success Rate

10/16/2019 12:30:00 PM | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Swimming and Diving, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country & Track, Women's Golf, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Wrestling, Field Hockey, Academic Services & Student Development, Women's Fencing

EVANSTON, Ill. — According to new Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Wednesday, Northwestern led all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions for the second-consecutive year with a 98% overall mark.
 
"Through wins and losses, exams and internships, the ultimate goal for our Wildcats is to graduate with one of the finest degrees in higher education," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. "Northwestern student-athletes flourish in the classroom, dedicate themselves to giving back in the community that supports them and compete for championships at the highest level of college athletics, all while preparing for lifelong success. This exceptional group or more than 500 young men and women continues to be exceptional representatives of our University and we are extremely proud of all of their accomplishments."

NCAA GSR DATABASE
 
Northwestern's 98% GSR matches the department's and Big Ten's all-time record in the 15 years GSR data has been released. The Wildcats paced all other Big Ten Conference institutions by four percentage points.
 
Scoring a 96%-or-higher overall each year that GSR has been released, Northwestern has finished in the top-four among FBS athletic departments annually.  
 
Thirteen Wildcats programs posted perfect scores for the current cohort, the most since 2009. The list includes baseball, cross country, football, men's golf, men's soccer, men's tennis, fencing, women's golf, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, women's volleyball.
 
Northwestern football is one of five Division I football programs to earn a 100% GSR this year and is the first program from a Power Five Conference to ever record a perfect score. NU's GSR is nine percent higher than the next closest Big Ten program. Wildcats football has ranked first or second in the nation in GSR among FBS schools for nine consecutive years.
 
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 2018-19 rate is based on student-athletes who entered college in the fall of 2012, the most recent data available. The four-year GSR rate also includes the freshman classes of 2009, 2010 and 2011. The rate shows the percentage of those student-athletes who earned a degree by the spring of 2018. This marks the 18th year GSR data has been collected.
 

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