The NCAA’s newest Graduation Success Rate report continues a pattern many counselors and educators have seen firsthand. Student-athletes are graduating at strong rates and contributing meaningfully to the academic life of their campuses.

In this article, we break down what the GSR actually measures, what the latest data shows, and why it matters for counselors working with high school athletes and their families. It’s a useful resource for reframing common misconceptions about college athletics and for grounding advising conversations in clear, reliable data.

The NCAA just released its newest Graduation Success Rate report, and the data continues a long-term trend. Student-athletes are earning degrees at consistently high levels across divisions.

The GSR offers a clearer picture than the federal graduation rate by accounting for transfers in and out of programs. This year’s numbers show stable academic performance even during a period of significant change in college athletics.

If you support student-athletes or work in college advising, this report is a useful reference point for understanding their academic outcomes and the reliability of athletics programs in promoting degree completion.

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on my early career in college athletics. Playing, coaching, operations, fundraising it shaped the way I work in ways I never fully appreciated until I stepped outside the industry.

I put those thoughts into a new piece about what sports business teaches you, why so many young people are drawn to it, and why counselors play an important role in helping students understand both the opportunities and the realities. The long hours, the low pay, the pressure to prove yourself. For the right kind of student especially those with an athletic mindset it can be an incredible training ground.

If you work with students who dream about careers in sports, I think this perspective will resonate. Here’s the full article.