SEATTLE – (Nov. 21) For the third straight year and fourth time in the last five years, Seattle University registered an institutional Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 95 percent in the latest figures released by the National Collegiate Athletics Association.
The Redhawks have hit a mark of 93 percent or better during the eight years that they have been measured in the study since transitioning back to Division I in 2008-09.
GSR data indicates the number of student-athletes earning a degree within six years. The NCAA developed the GSR to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. The Graduation Success Rate includes transfer students and student-athletes who leave in good academic standing, unlike the federal rate, which does not count transfers. The GSR also accounts for mid-year enrollees and is calculated for every sport.
The most recent Graduation Success Rates are based on the four entering freshmen classes in Division I from 2006 through 2009.
Overall, Seattle U's GSR rate of 95 percent is eight percent better than the NCAA average of 86 percent. In this most recent data, all but two teams at SU earned GSRs above 90 percent, while all programs were above 80 percent. Men’s basketball held the highest margin above the national average. The Redhawks most recent data hits a 94 percent GSR, compared to the overall Division I average of 76 percent.
Five SU teams registered perfect 100 GSR marks, including men’s golf, women’s golf, women’s cross country and track, women’s tennis and volleyball. The perfect score is the fourth straight for men’s golf and women’s tennis. It is the third straight for women’s golf and second straight for women’s cross country & track and volleyball.
Among the eight members of the Western Athletic Conference, Seattle U ranks first in overall GSR by eight percentage points. It is the only school in the conference with a mark above 90 percent.