Ball State University Athletics
Cardinals continue record graduation rate
December 02, 2021 | General
Ball State student-athletes recorded an institutional-record Graduation Success Rate of 90 percent
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State University student-athletes have tied the institutional record with a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 90 percent, according to the report released by the NCAA Thursday, Dec. 2.
The 90 percent GSR matches last year's report, which was a record high for the Cardinals, and 23 points higher from the numbers released in 2013-14.
Ball State was one of just five schools in the Mid-American Conference to post a 90 percent GSR, joining Buffalo, Miami, Toledo and Ohio.
"We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes' commitment in the classroom that has resulted in matching an institutional record," Ball State University Director of Athletics Beth Goetz said. "Graduating our athletes is our main priority, and the experiences they learn through competition help prepare them for living lives of purpose and becoming successful leaders in their chosen fields."
The latest numbers represent scholarship student-athletes over a six-year period starting with freshmen that entered college in 2014. Five programs boasted a 100 percent graduation rate: Men's Golf, Men's Volleyball, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Tennis and Women's Volleyball.
The announcement of the record-tying GSR follows a 2020-21 academic year which saw Ball State student-athletes earn a record 3.37 grade point average. A total of 17 varsity programs (indoor and outdoor track & field are combined for grade reporting) held a cumulative team GPA above 3.0.
The federal graduation rate, which is less inclusive than the GSR and released alongside those numbers, provides the only measure of historic academic comparison between student-athletes and the general student body. Using this standard, Ball State student-athletes graduated at a 74 percent rate in the latest report, which is seven points higher than their peers.
Overall, nine out of 10 student-athletes who started college in 2014 across all NCAA Division I programs earned a degree. It matches the highest rate ever that was reported last year for students who entered school in 2013.
The 90 percent GSR matches last year's report, which was a record high for the Cardinals, and 23 points higher from the numbers released in 2013-14.
Ball State was one of just five schools in the Mid-American Conference to post a 90 percent GSR, joining Buffalo, Miami, Toledo and Ohio.
"We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes' commitment in the classroom that has resulted in matching an institutional record," Ball State University Director of Athletics Beth Goetz said. "Graduating our athletes is our main priority, and the experiences they learn through competition help prepare them for living lives of purpose and becoming successful leaders in their chosen fields."
The latest numbers represent scholarship student-athletes over a six-year period starting with freshmen that entered college in 2014. Five programs boasted a 100 percent graduation rate: Men's Golf, Men's Volleyball, Women's Gymnastics, Women's Tennis and Women's Volleyball.
The announcement of the record-tying GSR follows a 2020-21 academic year which saw Ball State student-athletes earn a record 3.37 grade point average. A total of 17 varsity programs (indoor and outdoor track & field are combined for grade reporting) held a cumulative team GPA above 3.0.
The federal graduation rate, which is less inclusive than the GSR and released alongside those numbers, provides the only measure of historic academic comparison between student-athletes and the general student body. Using this standard, Ball State student-athletes graduated at a 74 percent rate in the latest report, which is seven points higher than their peers.
Overall, nine out of 10 student-athletes who started college in 2014 across all NCAA Division I programs earned a degree. It matches the highest rate ever that was reported last year for students who entered school in 2013.
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