Photo by: Ball State University
Ball State Athletics Continues Trend with Program Record 94% Graduation Success Rate
November 20, 2025 | Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Swimming and Diving, Men's Tennis, Men's Volleyball, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Soccer, Track & Field, Cardinal Varsity Club
MUNCIE, Ind. – After two consecutive years at a record graduation success rate of 93 percent, Ball State University student-athletes broke their own program record with a 94 percent GSR in the six-year window ending in 2024-25. According to Wednesday's report released by the NCAA, the 94 percent GSR reflects the sixth straight year that Ball State student-athletes have eclipsed a 90 percent rate and at least matched their program record.
The announcement of the record-setting GSR follows a 2024-25 academic year which saw Ball State student-athletes earn a record 3.46 cumulative grade-point average, with term GPAs of 3.43 in fall 2024 and 3.48 in spring 2025. All 19 Ball State sports teams completed the 2024-25 academic year with GPAs above 3.0 in both semesters.
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 90% among Division I student-athletes who entered college in 2018.
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 reports the past three seasons – 93 percent in 2023 and 2024, and this year's 94 percent.
The Cardinals have matched or exceeded their record for graduation success rate in six consecutive years. Ball State joined Miami as the only schools in the Mid-American Conference to post a GSR of 94 percent or better.
"I could not be prouder of our student-athletes and their sustained commitment to academic excellence," said Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Their record-setting graduation success rate reflects both their determination and the unwavering support of our coaches, staff, and academic team. Participation in intercollegiate athletics continues to open meaningful pathways for students to pursue their degrees and future aspirations. Our graduates consistently emerge as respected leaders in their communities, which remains one of the greatest accomplishments we can celebrate as educators."
For the second straight year, nine Ball State athletics programs boasted a 100 percent graduation rate during that six-year stretch. Ball State programs that finished with a 100 percent GSR during the six-year cohort ending in 2024-25 were men's golf, men's tennis, soccer, softball, track/cross country, women's basketball, women's golf, women's swimming, and women's tennis.
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 75 percent rate in the latest report, 13 points higher than their Ball State student body peers.
The announcement of the record-setting GSR follows a 2024-25 academic year which saw Ball State student-athletes earn a record 3.46 cumulative grade-point average, with term GPAs of 3.43 in fall 2024 and 3.48 in spring 2025. All 19 Ball State sports teams completed the 2024-25 academic year with GPAs above 3.0 in both semesters.
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 90% among Division I student-athletes who entered college in 2018.
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 reports the past three seasons – 93 percent in 2023 and 2024, and this year's 94 percent.
The Cardinals have matched or exceeded their record for graduation success rate in six consecutive years. Ball State joined Miami as the only schools in the Mid-American Conference to post a GSR of 94 percent or better.
"I could not be prouder of our student-athletes and their sustained commitment to academic excellence," said Ball State Director of Athletics Jeff Mitchell. "Their record-setting graduation success rate reflects both their determination and the unwavering support of our coaches, staff, and academic team. Participation in intercollegiate athletics continues to open meaningful pathways for students to pursue their degrees and future aspirations. Our graduates consistently emerge as respected leaders in their communities, which remains one of the greatest accomplishments we can celebrate as educators."
For the second straight year, nine Ball State athletics programs boasted a 100 percent graduation rate during that six-year stretch. Ball State programs that finished with a 100 percent GSR during the six-year cohort ending in 2024-25 were men's golf, men's tennis, soccer, softball, track/cross country, women's basketball, women's golf, women's swimming, and women's tennis.
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 75 percent rate in the latest report, 13 points higher than their Ball State student body peers.
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