Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Continues to Excel in Annual Graduation Success Rates
12/7/2023 1:28:00 PM | Baseball, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country & Track, Women's Golf, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Field Hockey, Women's Fencing
Northwestern is tied for the lead among all FBS institutions with a 98% graduation success rate (GSR), matching the school and Big Ten record
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern student-athletes continue to set a national standard in the classroom, according to new Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data released Wednesday by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Northwestern's overall 98% GSR is tied for the top mark across all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions and leads the Big Ten Conference for the 19th consecutive year.
"Every single day I am inspired by our student-athletes and the success that they have found in the classroom and in their respective sports," said Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg. "This year's Graduation Success Rate is an achievement that all of us at Northwestern University are extremely proud of."
Northwestern's overall 98% GSR matches the department's and Big Ten's all-time record and, similar to last year, is the top mark in the Conference by two percentage points.
GSR Database
Northwestern has finished in the Top-4 among FBS athletics departments all 19 years the data has been reported, scoring 96%-or-higher annually.
Fourteen Wildcats programs – up from 13 last year – posted perfect 100 scores for the current cohort. The list includes wrestling, which rejoins the group, as well as baseball, men's basketball, cross country, field hockey, men's soccer, men's tennis, fencing, softball, women's basketball, women's golf, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis and women's volleyball.
Northwestern football earned the second highest Graduation Success Rate among all FBS programs, posting a 97% mark for the current cohort. The Wildcats have ranked top-2 in the country for GSR among FBS football programs for 13 straight years.
Division I student-athletes are graduating at record rates, according to the latest GSR data. The overall single-cohort rate increased by 1 point to 91%, which is the highest rate recorded.
The latest figures reflect graduation numbers among student-athletes who entered college in 2016. The NCAA has tracked GSR for more than two decades, and student-athletes have surpassed the original benchmark goal of 80%, with long-term graduation rate increases being observed year after year from an overall 74% in 2002 to this year's record 91%.
Since 2002, significant gains have been demonstrated within all student-athlete sport subgroups, with notable increases in baseball, football, wrestling, and men's and women's basketball. Baseball student-athlete graduation rates have increased from 66% to 91%. Football Bowl Subdivision rates have increased from 63% to 84%, while Football Championship Subdivision rates have increased from 62% to 80%. Men's basketball rates have increased from 56% to 86%, and women's basketball rates have increased from 80% to 93%.
This year, all women's sports recorded a rate of 92% or better, with field hockey, gymnastics and lacrosse all earning a 98% GSR.
Since the implementation of the GSR, Division I members have adopted impactful academic reforms and initiatives, including modifications of initial-eligibility requirements and progress-toward-degree standards, as well as application of the Academic Performance Program. Those reforms have helped pave the way for exponential graduation success.
"Every single day I am inspired by our student-athletes and the success that they have found in the classroom and in their respective sports," said Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg. "This year's Graduation Success Rate is an achievement that all of us at Northwestern University are extremely proud of."
Northwestern's overall 98% GSR matches the department's and Big Ten's all-time record and, similar to last year, is the top mark in the Conference by two percentage points.
GSR Database
Northwestern has finished in the Top-4 among FBS athletics departments all 19 years the data has been reported, scoring 96%-or-higher annually.
Fourteen Wildcats programs – up from 13 last year – posted perfect 100 scores for the current cohort. The list includes wrestling, which rejoins the group, as well as baseball, men's basketball, cross country, field hockey, men's soccer, men's tennis, fencing, softball, women's basketball, women's golf, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis and women's volleyball.
Northwestern football earned the second highest Graduation Success Rate among all FBS programs, posting a 97% mark for the current cohort. The Wildcats have ranked top-2 in the country for GSR among FBS football programs for 13 straight years.
Division I student-athletes are graduating at record rates, according to the latest GSR data. The overall single-cohort rate increased by 1 point to 91%, which is the highest rate recorded.
The latest figures reflect graduation numbers among student-athletes who entered college in 2016. The NCAA has tracked GSR for more than two decades, and student-athletes have surpassed the original benchmark goal of 80%, with long-term graduation rate increases being observed year after year from an overall 74% in 2002 to this year's record 91%.
Since 2002, significant gains have been demonstrated within all student-athlete sport subgroups, with notable increases in baseball, football, wrestling, and men's and women's basketball. Baseball student-athlete graduation rates have increased from 66% to 91%. Football Bowl Subdivision rates have increased from 63% to 84%, while Football Championship Subdivision rates have increased from 62% to 80%. Men's basketball rates have increased from 56% to 86%, and women's basketball rates have increased from 80% to 93%.
This year, all women's sports recorded a rate of 92% or better, with field hockey, gymnastics and lacrosse all earning a 98% GSR.
Since the implementation of the GSR, Division I members have adopted impactful academic reforms and initiatives, including modifications of initial-eligibility requirements and progress-toward-degree standards, as well as application of the Academic Performance Program. Those reforms have helped pave the way for exponential graduation success.
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