
Top Graduation Success Rate Among FBS Schools
11/17/2020 4:04:00 PM | Baseball, Football, 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. — Northwestern posted the top overall Graduation Success Rate (GSR) among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions for the third-consecutive year with a score of 98%, according to the latest data released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
"Our purpose is to provide a world-class experience during the short time our Wildcats are on campus, and, more importantly, to support them as they earn one of the most valuable degrees in higher education and prepare for life," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. "From the first meeting with a family during recruitment, through that unforgettable day in cap-and-gown, our mission is crystal clear across student-athletes, coaches and staff. Today is a proud day because it reflects the hard work so many people have put into the process."
NCAA GSR DATABASE
Northwestern's overall 98% GSR matches the department's and Big Ten's all-time record and the tally is the top mark in the Conference this year by four percentage points. NU has led the Big Ten in overall GSR all 16 years the data has been released.
Northwestern has also finished in the top-four among FBS athletics departments all 16 years, scoring 96%-or-higher annually.
Fourteen Wildcats programs posted perfect scores for the current cohort, NU's highest total since 2009. The list includes baseball, cross country, field hockey, men's golf, men's soccer, men's tennis, fencing, softball, women's basketball, women's golf, women's lacrosse, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, and women's volleyball.
For the fourth consecutive year, Northwestern football earned the highest Graduation Success Rate among all FBS programs, posting a 97% mark for the current cohortThe Wildcats have ranked first or second in the country for GSR among FBS football programs for 10 straight years. NU football's 97% was four percentage points higher than the next league peer.
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 2019-20 rate is based on student-athletes who entered college in the fall of 2013, the most recent data available. The four-year GSR rate also includes the freshman classes of 2010, 2011 and 2012. The rate shows the percentage of those student-athletes who earned a degree by the spring of 2019. This marks the 19th year GSR data has been collected.
"Our purpose is to provide a world-class experience during the short time our Wildcats are on campus, and, more importantly, to support them as they earn one of the most valuable degrees in higher education and prepare for life," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Jim Phillips. "From the first meeting with a family during recruitment, through that unforgettable day in cap-and-gown, our mission is crystal clear across student-athletes, coaches and staff. Today is a proud day because it reflects the hard work so many people have put into the process."
NCAA GSR DATABASE
Northwestern's overall 98% GSR matches the department's and Big Ten's all-time record and the tally is the top mark in the Conference this year by four percentage points. NU has led the Big Ten in overall GSR all 16 years the data has been released.
Northwestern has also finished in the top-four among FBS athletics departments all 16 years, scoring 96%-or-higher annually.
Fourteen Wildcats programs posted perfect scores for the current cohort, NU's highest total since 2009. The list includes baseball, cross country, field hockey, men's golf, men's soccer, men's tennis, fencing, softball, women's basketball, women's golf, women's lacrosse, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, and women's volleyball.
For the fourth consecutive year, Northwestern football earned the highest Graduation Success Rate among all FBS programs, posting a 97% mark for the current cohortThe Wildcats have ranked first or second in the country for GSR among FBS football programs for 10 straight years. NU football's 97% was four percentage points higher than the next league peer.
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 2019-20 rate is based on student-athletes who entered college in the fall of 2013, the most recent data available. The four-year GSR rate also includes the freshman classes of 2010, 2011 and 2012. The rate shows the percentage of those student-athletes who earned a degree by the spring of 2019. This marks the 19th year GSR data has been collected.
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