Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Achieves Department-Record 99% Graduation Success Rate
12/4/2025 2:34:00 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. – Northwestern has set a conference and department record with a 99% Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for the latest cohort, according to data released by the NCAA in November. The Wildcats' overall GSR is tied for first in the nation and leads all Big Ten institutions by three percentage points.
This year's score extends Northwestern's streak of top-four GSR finishes among FBS institutions to 21 straight years, or every year that the data has been reported. The Wildcats have led the Big Ten in each cohort, always achieving a score of at least 96%.
On a program level, 14 Northwestern teams achieved 100% GSR ratings this year, improving upon last fall's total of 13 perfect scores. Women's golf, women's tennis and volleyball all earned 100% ratings for the 21st consecutive season, while men's tennis extended its run of perfect scores to 20 straight years. Baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, fencing, field hockey, lacrosse, softball, women's soccer and wrestling all earned 100% scores as well.
Northwestern football tied for the highest GSR among FBS institutions with a program score of 99%, making the 'Cats one of just two Power Four institutions to reach that mark. Northwestern has now ranked top-two in the country for GSR among FBS football programs for 15 straight years. The program's 99% GSR matches last year's score and leads the Big Ten by five percentage points.
GSR Database
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 latest cohort includes student-athletes who entered college from 2015 to 2018.
This year's score extends Northwestern's streak of top-four GSR finishes among FBS institutions to 21 straight years, or every year that the data has been reported. The Wildcats have led the Big Ten in each cohort, always achieving a score of at least 96%.
On a program level, 14 Northwestern teams achieved 100% GSR ratings this year, improving upon last fall's total of 13 perfect scores. Women's golf, women's tennis and volleyball all earned 100% ratings for the 21st consecutive season, while men's tennis extended its run of perfect scores to 20 straight years. Baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, fencing, field hockey, lacrosse, softball, women's soccer and wrestling all earned 100% scores as well.
Northwestern football tied for the highest GSR among FBS institutions with a program score of 99%, making the 'Cats one of just two Power Four institutions to reach that mark. Northwestern has now ranked top-two in the country for GSR among FBS football programs for 15 straight years. The program's 99% GSR matches last year's score and leads the Big Ten by five percentage points.
GSR Database
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 latest cohort includes student-athletes who entered college from 2015 to 2018.
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