University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Student-Athletes Show Improved Graduation Success Rate
10/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
University of Minnesota student-athletes continue to earn their degrees at an improved rate, according to the third year of Graduation Success Rate (GSR) measurements announced by the NCAA today.
In the latest study by the NCAA, University of Minnesota student-athletes compiled a cumulative graduation success rate of 71 percent. The data is based on student-athletes who entered the University from 1997 to 2000, and is up three percent over Minnesota’s 2006 GSR of 68 percent that was based upon entering classes from 1996 to 1999.
“I believe the data reflects the athletics department’s academic commitment to our student-athletes,” said director of athletics Joel Maturi. “We are pleased that progress continues to be achieved in terms of graduation rates and are especially proud that 89 percent of the student-athletes who completed their eligibility at the University of Minnesota also earned their degrees. Still, the numbers also indicate that we have room for improvement and we will continue to work diligently with our student-athletes to attain increased rates in all sports.”
Minnesota’s federal graduation rate of 62 percent for student-athletes also continues to lead that of the University’s general student body, according to the study.
Graduation Success Rates for Minnesota’s women’s programs were particularly impressive, according to the study. Nine of 11 teams compiled rates above 75 percent, including golf, gymnastics, swimming & diving and volleyball, which were all above 90 percent.
On the men’s side, baseball, cross country/track & field, gymnastics, swimming & diving and tennis also posted GSR figures above 75 percent.
With the latest research indicating that approximately 60 percent of all new bachelor's degree recipients having attended more than one undergraduate institution during their collegiate careers, the GSR was created by the NCAA in 2005 to more accurately reflect actual graduation rates by including transfer data in the calculation. The graduation rate methodology used by the Department of Education counts all student-athletes who transfer from or leave an institution for any reason as non-graduates from their initial school, even if they leave in good academic standing and subsequently graduate.
For more information on Graduation Success Rates, please visit www.ncaa.org.
