Record-Breaking Performance: Student-Athlete Graduation Success Rate Tops 80 Percent

University Relations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In yet another record-setting academic achievement, University of Arkansas student-athletes have set a new standard for graduation success rate, according to a report released on Wednesday by the NCAA.

Razorback student-athletes that entered school in a four-year period from 2007-10 earned a school record GSR of 80 percent. The latest graduation success rate marked the ninth-consecutive rate of more than 70 percent by Razorback student-athletes and marks the first time the GSR has risen to 80 percent. The previous record GSR mark of 78 percent was recorded in 2016.

The graduation success rate was developed as an improved measurement tool for tracking student-athletes' academic progress leading toward graduation. The University of Arkansas has steadily improved its GSR rate since the measurement was implemented 13 years ago rising from an initial rate of 60 percent to 80 percent in the numbers released on Wednesday.

"Intercollegiate athletics offers an invaluable opportunity for student-athletes at the University of Arkansas to earn their degree while competing in their given sport," said Jeff Long, vice chancellor and director of athletics. "In the past decade, we have worked purposefully to provide additional support and encouragement to assist more than 460 Razorback student-athletes annually in achieving academics and athletics success while advancing toward graduation. The commitment and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches and academic support staff combined with these focused initiatives has resulted in a remarkable increase in our GSR, including this year's record of 80 percent. As a program, we have made tremendous progress and will continue to work to ensure every student-athlete has an opportunity to pursue their degree and add their name to Senior Walk." 

In addition to the GSR, the NCAA established the academic progress rate that provides institutions with a more real-time indicator of academic success. Last spring, Arkansas exceeded the APR benchmark in all 19 sports for the fifth consecutive year including each sport exceeding the benchmark by at least 13 points. The program set an all-time best with a 977.8 APR average. Women's golf was honored by the NCAA with a public recognition award for APR performance, the 13th honor earned by Razorback Athletics in just the past five years.

In 2016-17, Razorback student-athletes set a new program record with a cumulative 3.25 GPA. In all, 68 percent of our student-athletes earned recognition on an academic honor roll in the spring semester. Graduation is on the rise with an average of 100 student-athletes each year earning their degree.

For more information regarding Razorback Athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.