Northwestern University Athletics

Arch

'Cats Excel In Latest NCAA Academic Progress Rate Data

5/8/2019 12:13:00 PM | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, 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, Field Hockey, Academic Services & Student Development, Women's Fencing

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern led all Big Ten institutions - and matched its highest mark on record - with 12 varsity athletic programs earning the nation's top Academic Progress Rate (APR) in their respective sports, according to data released by the NCAA on Wednesday.
 
NCAA ACADEMIC PROGRESS RATE – SEARCHABLE DATABASE

"The commitment to excellence our student-athletes demonstrate in the classroom reflects the culture across our great university," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. "Each year the group sets a national standard for impact in the classroom, in the community and in competition. Whether representing us as students, citizens or athletes, our Wildcats continue to make the entire Northwestern community proud."
 
Northwestern baseball, field hockey, men's basketball, men's soccer, women's basketball, cross country, fencing, women's golf, lacrosse, women's soccer, women's swimming and diving and volleyball each posted perfect 1,000 multi-year APR scores. Women's basketball and men's soccer were the lone Big Ten teams in their respective sports to earn unblemished scores. The men's basketball team was one of two conference teams and one of 17 Division I programs to earn a perfect mark.
 
The Wildcats football program led all Power Five teams, and was second among Football Bowl Subdivision, with a 996 score. Northwestern football has ranked first or second in FBS APR for nine consecutive years.
 
The Division I four-year rate for football was 964, while men's basketball's rate checked in at 967 and women's basketball's was 982.
 
Northwestern softball (996), men's tennis (992), men's swimming and diving (991) and women's tennis (985) all scored above the national Division I average of 983.
 
The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from the 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years.
 
All 12 varsity programs that earned perfect multi-year rates, in addition to football, were recognized by the NCAA on May 1, 2019, with Public Recognition Awards for placing in the top-10% of their respective sports in the latest multi-year rates.
 
Thirteen APR Public Recognition Awards led the Big Ten and ranked second among Power Five schools. It was the eighth consecutive year that more than half of NU's 19 varsity programs received the recognition.
 

••••••

Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Football - Northwestern Falls in Snowy Regular-Season Finale (11/29/25)
Sunday, November 30
Football - Illinois Postgame Press Conference (11/29/25)
Sunday, November 30
Men's Basketball - Oklahoma State Postgame Presser (11/27/25)
Friday, November 28
Men's Basketball - 'Cats Drop Thanksgiving Classic to Cowboys (11/27/25)
Friday, November 28