Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services
Ball State Athletics Continues Record Graduation Trend
November 21, 2024 | Field Hockey, General, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Men's Volleyball, Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis, Gymnastics, Soccer, Track & Field
MUNCIE, Ind. – For the second straight year, Ball State University student-athletes have matched their institutional record with a graduation success rate (GSR) of 93 percent, according to Wednesday's report released by the NCAA. The 93 percent GSR reflects the fifth straight year that Ball State student-athletes have eclipsed a 90 percent rate and at least matched their program record.
Student-athletes' steady rise in graduation success rate at Ball State mirrors a national trend, with the NCAA announcing a six-year overall rate of 91% among Division I student-athletes who entered college in 2017.
Ball State student-athletes first reached the 90 percent plateau with rates released by the NCAA in 2020, and then matched that figure a year later. A 91 percent success rate in 2022 set a new plateau for the Cardinals, topped only by report the past two seasons.
Ball State was one of four schools in the Mid-American Conference to post a GSR of 93 percent or better, joining Miami, Ohio and Toledo. Other MAC schools above 90 percent included Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan and Kent State.
"The sustained effort by our student-athletes to achieve academic success and to set high graduation rates is inspiring," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Participation in intercollegiate athletics is an attractive option for students to attend college. Our graduates have proven themselves to be respected leaders in their communities as they seek fulfilling careers and meaningful lives."
Nine Ball State athletics programs boasted a 100 percent graduation rate during that six-year stretch: field hockey, gymnastics, men's golf, men's tennis, men's volleyball, soccer, track/cross country, women's basketball and women's tennis. The announcement of the record-setting GSR follows a 2023-24 academic year which saw Ball State student-athletes earn a record 3.44 term grade-point average (GPA) in fall 2023 and 3.40 in spring 2024.
By comparison, the federal graduation rate (FGR), 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 – 11 points higher than their Ball State peers.
Follow the Cardinals
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
Student-athletes' steady rise in graduation success rate at Ball State mirrors a national trend, with the NCAA announcing a six-year overall rate of 91% among Division I student-athletes who entered college in 2017.
Ball State student-athletes first reached the 90 percent plateau with rates released by the NCAA in 2020, and then matched that figure a year later. A 91 percent success rate in 2022 set a new plateau for the Cardinals, topped only by report the past two seasons.
Ball State was one of four schools in the Mid-American Conference to post a GSR of 93 percent or better, joining Miami, Ohio and Toledo. Other MAC schools above 90 percent included Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan and Kent State.
"The sustained effort by our student-athletes to achieve academic success and to set high graduation rates is inspiring," said Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Participation in intercollegiate athletics is an attractive option for students to attend college. Our graduates have proven themselves to be respected leaders in their communities as they seek fulfilling careers and meaningful lives."
Nine Ball State athletics programs boasted a 100 percent graduation rate during that six-year stretch: field hockey, gymnastics, men's golf, men's tennis, men's volleyball, soccer, track/cross country, women's basketball and women's tennis. The announcement of the record-setting GSR follows a 2023-24 academic year which saw Ball State student-athletes earn a record 3.44 term grade-point average (GPA) in fall 2023 and 3.40 in spring 2024.
By comparison, the federal graduation rate (FGR), 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 – 11 points higher than their Ball State peers.
Follow the Cardinals
Field Hockey // Win vs. Lock Haven
Wednesday, September 17
Field Hockey vs. Lock Haven
Sunday, September 14
Field Hockey vs. St. Francis
Friday, September 12
Field Hockey // Season Preview
Thursday, August 28