Michigan State Student-Athletes Post Record Graduation Success Rates

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State University student-athletes have achieved some of the highest academic success in the history of the school, according to the NCAA, which released the latest NCAA Division I graduation rate data on Wednesday, Nov. 14.

"As a Department we are committed to the academic success of our student athletes," MSU Athletic Director Bill Beekman said. "These numbers are a reflection of that commitment and the dedication our student-athletes have to win in the classroom."

"We're very proud of the academic achievements – and ultimately, graduation – of our student-athletes, which is a reflection – first and foremost – of those students and speaks to the overall stability of our programs," MSU executive director of Student-Athlete Support Services Todd Edwards said. "In addition to the students and coaches, it's a testament to the support, care and commitment to our students that's provided by our staff, both within the department and the broader MSU community."

Michigan State student-athletes for the entering classes of 2008-2011 recorded a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 88% – an all-time high for the school. The 88% eclipses the previous high of 87%, which was established last year.

The Spartan men's basketball team continued its longstanding tradition of academic success with a GSR of 100%, which was also an all-time high. The men's basketball team was one of eight Spartan programs to post a perfect GSR of 100%, joining men's tennis, rowing, field hockey, women's golf, gymnastics, women's soccer and volleyball.

The football program posted its all-time high GSR of 82%.

The GSR provides the most complete and accurate look at student-athlete success, as opposed to the federal graduation rate (FGR). The GSR formula measures the student-athletes in a given cohort who graduate from their institution within six years, and removes from the rate academically eligible student-athletes who transfer to another school. Over 70% of MSU's athletic programs have a GSR of at least 85%.

By comparison, the FGR counts any student who leaves a school as an academic failure, no matter the academic standing nor whether the student subsequently graduates from another institution. The FGR is the only measure to compare student-athletes with the general student body.

As a whole, Michigan State student-athletes posted an all-time high single-year FGR of 80%, topping last year's previous high mark by four points. Additionally, Spartan student-athletes established a four-year FGR of 75%, another all-time high for the school.

Both the men's soccer and men's tennis programs had a four-year FGR of 100%.

Michigan State Student-Athletes Post Record Graduation Success Rates

Related Videos