Patriot League Graduation Report Numbers at a Glance (.PDF)
 
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League registered a 94 percent graduation success rate (GSR) and an 86 percent federal graduation rate (FGR) in data released by the NCAA on Wednesday. The League ranked among the NCAA Division I conference leaders in both of the academic success measures for student-athletes. 
 
The Patriot League’s 86 percent FGR is the best mark in the nation for the 11th consecutive year and 17 points above the national overall average. The League’s 94 percent GSR is tied for the sixth-best mark in the nation, four points behind the top spot and four points above the national average. The Patriot League has been among the NCAA Division I’s top conferences in GSR each year since the introduction of the rating in 2013. 
 
The graduation rates are the most recent recorded graduating class that started school in 2016. In the four-year average of classes entering from 2013-2016, each Patriot League institution recorded an overall GSR of 91 percent or better. Bucknell led the way at 99 percent, Holy Cross and Lafayette followed at 98 percent, with Colgate and Lehigh finishing at 97 percent. American (95), Boston University (95), Loyola Maryland (95), Navy (94) and Army West Point (91) all exceeded the national student-athlete Graduation Success Rate of 90. 
 
Colgate and Lehigh posted the Patriot League’s highest FGR scores, tying at 92 percent. Holy Cross posted a score of 90 percent, with Bucknell (89), Boston University (87), Lafayette (84), Loyola Maryland (77) and American (73) all finishing above the national average of 69 percent. Army West Point and Navy do not report federal graduation rates because they do not offer athletics aid. 
 
The Patriot League also finished among the nation’s top conferences in the most recent GSR and FGR results for individual sports released by the NCAA, including baseball, men’s and women’s basketball and football. 
 
The League’s seven football programs recorded the best GSR score (95) among NCAA DI FCS institutions and the top FGR score (78) among all NCAA DI schools. Bucknell and Georgetown tied for a League-best GSR score of 97 percent. Colgate and Lafayette recorded scores of 95 percent, with Fordham, Holy Cross and Lehigh posting scores of 94 percent, all above the FCS national GSR average of 79 percent. Colgate recorded the highest FGR score at 90 percent, with Georgetown and Lehigh tying at 89 percent. Holy Cross (88), Lafayette (84), Bucknell (81) and Fordham (80) all finished above the national average. 
 
The 10 Patriot League women’s basketball programs also ranked atop NCAA DI in GSR (100) and FGR (86). American, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh and Loyola Maryland all recorded perfect GSR scores of 100 percent. Colgate and Lehigh registered perfect FGR scores, while American (92), Boston University (92), Holy Cross (86), Loyola Maryland (86), Bucknell (79) and Lafayette (79) all finished at least 10 points above the national average. 
 
Patriot League men’s basketball ranked second in GSR (96) and first in FGR (68). Army West Point, Boston University, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola Maryland and Navy all recorded perfect GSR scores. Bucknell (92) and American (88) also finished above the national men’s basketball GSR average of 85 percent. Boston University (90) and Bucknell (85) posted the League’s top FGR scores. Colgate (73), Holy Cross (71) and Lafayette (69) finished at or above the national average. 
 
The six Patriot League baseball programs finished 10th in NCAA DI in GSR (93) and first in FGR (100). Bucknell, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh all recorded perfect GSR scores of 100. Navy (95) and Army West Point (94) both finished above the national baseball GSR average of 89 percent. Lehigh posted a perfect FGR score, while Holy Cross (83), Lafayette (83) and Bucknell (75) finished above the national average. 
 
Overall, 108 Patriot League-sponsored teams reported a perfect 100 percent GSR. Thirty-five teams reported perfect FGR scores. 
 
The Division I Board of Directors created the GSR in response to Division I college and university presidents who wanted data that more accurately reflected the mobility of college students than the federal graduation rate. The federal rate counts any student who leaves a school as an academic failure, whether they enroll at another school. The GSR formula removes from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initially enrolling elsewhere. This calculation makes it a more complete and accurate look at student-athlete success. The federal graduation rate remains the only measure to compare student-athletes with the general student body.
 
For the NCAA report, along with data for all schools, conferences, sports and years, please CLICK HERE. 
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.