Athletes Continue to Graduate At High Rates
Definition of the GSR
The Graduation Success Rate (GSR) is the NCAA’s metric for assessing the academic outcomes of student-athletes. It measures the proportion of scholarship student-athletes who graduate within six years of initial enrollment. Unlike the federal graduation rate, the GSR accounts for transfers by removing athletes who leave an institution in good academic standing and adding those who transfer into a program. This adjustment is designed to produce a more accurate representation of academic outcomes within NCAA athletics programs.
Summary of the 2025 Findings
The 2025 NCAA Graduation Success Rate report indicates that student-athlete graduation rates remain high across all divisions. The national GSR continues to show strong academic performance among student-athletes, with many sports maintaining or improving their rates compared to previous reporting periods.
The data shows:
Sustained high graduation rates across Division I, Division II, and Division III
Consistent outcomes across most sports, with several maintaining rates above the general student-body averages reported by institutions
Stability in long-term academic performance trends despite the changing landscape of college athletics, including increased transfer activity and evolving participation structures
The report concludes that NCAA student-athletes continue to complete their degrees at strong and reliable rates, reflecting sustained academic achievement across the association.
Here is a link to the report:
https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/11/19/media-center-ncaa-graduation-rates-remain-high.aspx
