William & Mary student-athletes rank among nation's best once again
Student-athletes at William & Mary once again rank among the nation's very best with the release of the NCAA's latest graduation rates. The Tribe's 88 percent Federal Graduation Rate (FGR) for student-athletes is the best graduation rate among Division I public universities for the 13th year in a row, while the NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 93 percent is tied for third nationally among public universities, just one percentage point out of the lead.
"The academic success of our student-athletes is a testament to their commitment to excellence and to the remarkable coaches and staff who support them in all of their endeavors; in the classroom, in their sport, and in life," said William & Mary Director of Athletics Samantha K. Huge. "These achievements would not be possible with out the outstanding work and dedication of our Academic Services Department, led by Associate Athletics Director Jason Simms. Jason and his team are among the many here that ensure we live up to the commitment that we make to our student-athletes when they arrive on campus — that they will receive a world class education, that they will have the opportunity to participate in championship-seeking athletics, and that each will leave our campus, degree in hand, with the tools necessary to lead a life of impact."
The latest graduation rate data measures the 2010-11 entering cohort, with the measuring window concluding last spring. In the FGR, which negatively counts outgoing transfers and does not count incoming transfers, W&M's overall student body average was 91 percent, tied for the best since the NCAA began reporting rates in 2004-05, and 25 points higher than the national average of 66 percent. Among student-athletes specifically, the Tribe's FGR of 88 percent is the highest ever-reported by two points, and a full 20 points above the Division I athlete average of 68 percent. Non-scholarship student-athletes are also not counted in the FGR calculations.
"William & Mary scholar-athletes continue to find new ways to dazzle us, this time in their academic achievements and graduation rates in addition to their remarkable athletic accomplishments," said President Taylor Reveley. "We are exceedingly proud of them, as well as the devoted coaches, faculty, and staff who help make William & Mary a model for how to do collegiate athletics right."
The GSR amends the federal formula by counting transfers, as well as counting all athletes regardless of aid. In this more inclusive measure, W&M's graduation rate jumps to 93 percent, the highest since 2011-12. Across the entirety of Division I, the national average was 87 percent.
Additional data on the Federal Graduation Rate
- Five teams reported perfect 100 percent graduation rates, the most since six did so in 2012-13. Those teams included men's soccer, who reached 100 percent for the first time since 2008-09, as well as men's tennis for the second year in a row. On the women's side, field hockey also hit 100 percent for the second year in a row, while women's golf and women's soccer both hit 100 percent for the first time since 2011-12.
- Also of note, baseball (92 percent), men's basketball (93 percent) and women's lacrosse (96 percent) all set their highest graduation rates.
- After W&M, the next two highest public universities were Michigan and James Madison, both at 81 percent.
- The Tribe ranked first in both the CAA and the state in FGR.
- This is the eighth time in 13 years that W&M has ranked among the nation's top-10 best Federal Graduation Rates.
Additional data on the NCAA Graduation Success Rate
- Nine teams had a perfect 100 percent grad rate in the GSR, the most since 2012-13. Those included men's golf, men's gymnastics, men's soccer and men's tennis; as well as field hockey, women's golf, women's gymnastics, women's soccer and volleyball.
- Five of those teams (men's & women's gymnastics, men's tennis, women's golf, and volleyball) have never reported less than 100 percent.
- In addition to the nine perfect scores, both the baseball team (96 percent) and men's basketball (92 percent) reported their highest rates.
- Among all 351 Division I schools, W&M was tied for 45th overall, while tying for third among public universities.
- The Tribe was tied with Hofstra for second in the CAA, just one point behind Elon (94 percent).
- W&M's 93 percent GSR also ranked first in the state of the Virginia, three points ahead of Richmond, UVA and Virginia Tech.
