Alabama Leads the NCAA in Latest Graduation Success Rates
11/21/2024 9:33:00 AM | General
Alabama posts a 96 overall GSR with 11 Crimson Tide teams scoring a perfect 100, each of which earned top marks in the SEC
INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Alabama posted an all-time high overall Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 96 percent, improving one point from last year's mark. With that, Alabama is tied for tops among NCAA Power Five public institutions (tied with Clemson, Louisville, Michigan and Virginia) as well as the Southeastern Conference (tied with Vanderbilt).
A total of 15 Crimson Tide athletics programs scored 90-or-better, with 11 earning perfect 100s to lead the SEC in their respective sport in 2023-24 GSR figures, which were released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) on Wednesday.
The GSR measures graduation rates at Division I institutions. GSR is believed to be a more accurate measure of academic performance in athletics departments as it holds schools responsible for student-athletes transferring into the institutions and allows them to subtract student-athletes who leave their institutions prior to graduation but are otherwise academically eligible to compete.
The average GSR for all NCAA Division I student-athletes is 91. This year's GSR spans the period covering student-athletes who enrolled at the University during 2014-17.
Mike Ward, Deputy Director of Athletics, Compliance and Academic Support
"These results demonstrate the University of Alabama's commitment to success on and off the field. Everyone sees our student-athletes competing for championships. Know that behind every Alabama jersey, there is a young person equally as committed to excellence in the classroom.
"Once again, I am humbled by the support of our campus faculty and staff, a fully committed athletics administration, and an academic center full of selfless believers in the power of education to change lives. Times in college athletics are changing, but the University of Alabama's commitment to success is not. We owe our student-athletes the best and that is what we will continue to provide."
GSR Highlights
- Alabama football posted an all-time best GSR of 97, leading the SEC for the first time and third nationally among power conference teams. This marks the 16th year the football squad has ranked in the top four in GSR among SEC teams.
- The men's basketball team remained at a perfect 100 again this year. This marks their 10th consecutive year of perfect Graduation Success Rates and leading the SEC.
- In addition to football and men's basketball, Alabama also led the SEC with perfect GSR scores in men's and women's golf, gymnastics, rowing, soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, softball, women's tennis, and volleyball.
- For the second year in a row, baseball (94) finished among the top three programs in the SEC.
- Women's cross country/track and field (98) and men's tennis (90) rounded out programs scoring 90 or better in this year's GSR cohort.
- The Crimson Tide ranks sixth nationally among power conference schools in overall Graduation Success Rate behind peers Notre Dame (99), Boston College (98), Northwestern University (98), Stanford University (98) and Duke University (97).
