Patriot League Graduation Report Numbers at a Glance (.PDF)
NCAA Release
 
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League recorded a 96 percent graduation success rate (GSR) and an 87 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 measures of academic success for student-athletes and were a two- and one-percent improvement over last year’s figures, respectively.
 
The League’s 87 percent FGR is the best mark in the nation for the 12th consecutive year and 19 points above the national overall average. The League’s 96 percent GSR is the second-best mark in the nation, two points behind the leader and six points above the national average. The Patriot League has been among the NCAA DI's top conferences in GSR each year since the rating has been publicly released. 
 
The graduation rates are the most recent recorded graduating class that started school in 2017. In the four-year average of classes from 2014-2017, each Patriot League institution registered an overall GSR of 92 percent or better. Bucknell and Holy Cross led the way at 98 percent. Colgate, Lafayette and Lehigh followed at 97 percent, with Boston University and Loyola Maryland finishing at 96 percent. American (94), Navy (94) and Army West Point (92) all exceeded the national student-athlete Graduation Success Rate of 90 percent.
 
Lehigh posted the Patriot League’s highest FGR score at 93 percent. Colgate finished close behind with a score of 91 percent, with Bucknell finishing at 90 percent. Holy Cross (89), Boston University (87), Lafayette (84), Loyola Maryland (79) and American (71) all finished above the national average of 68 percent. Army West Point and Navy do not report federal graduation rates because they do not offer athletics aid.
 
The Patriot League also continued to excel 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 Patriot League’s seven football programs recorded the best GSR score (96) and FGR score (91) among NCAA DI FBS and FCS conferences. Georgetown posted a League-best GSR score of 98. Fordham and Lehigh registered 96 percent GSR scores, Bucknell, Colgate and Holy Cross finished at 95 percent and Lafayette (93) put all seven programs above the national average. Lehigh recorded the League’s best FGR score at 91 percent, followed by Georgetown (90), Colgate (87), Bucknell (85) and Holy Cross (85). Fordham (83) and Lafayette (80) also finished above the national average.
 
The League’s 10 men’s basketball programs ranked first in NCAA DI in FGR (68). Boston University (92), Lafayette (79), Bucknell (77) and Colgate (75) all finished above the national average. The League tied for 14th in GSR (90), with Boston University, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Loyola Maryland recording perfect scores. Army West Point (95), Navy (93) and Bucknell (91) all finished above the national average.
 
The Patriot League’s 10 women’s basketball programs also ranked atop NCAA DI in FGR (90), with Boston University, Colgate and Lehigh registering perfect scores. Holy Cross (93), Bucknell (86), Loyola Maryland (86), American (83) and Lafayette (77) all finished above the national average. The program’s tied for 15th in GSR (93), with Boston University, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh and Loyola Maryland all recording perfect scores. American (92) also finished above the national average.
 
The six Patriot League baseball teams finished first in NCAA DI in FGR (91) and fourth in GSR (96). Lehigh posted a perfect FGR score, while Lafayette (86), Holy Cross (80) and Bucknell (75) all finished above the national average. Bucknell, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh all recorded perfect GSR scores, while Army West Point (94) and Navy (92) finished above the national average.
 
Overall, 105 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, 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 who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.