IRVING, Texas (June 11, 2024) – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) highlighted today the positive football data in the Annual NCAA Division I Academic Progress Report (APR), which was released June 4, showcasing that student-athletes continue to maximize the opportunity afforded them in the classroom. The overall APR rate, which has substantially risen over the past 20 years, remained steady with a four-year national average of 984. The football APR was 963, down by one point from last year. Click here for the full report, and click here for the release.
 
The NCAA also highlighted that more than 21,365 student-athletes have gone back to school to earn their degrees since 2003, including 6,242 football players – the most among all NCAA Division I sports. The returning student-athletes are typically not counted in the federal graduation rate or Graduation Success Rate calculations, but by returning to college after their eligibility expired and completing their degree, they earn APR points for their former teams.
 
"The APR provides an important window into the success that colleges and universities are having in ensuring their student-athletes remain on track to graduate," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Institutions are clearly investing in academics, and showcasing the top football programs allows us to highlight those programs that continue to go above and beyond in preparing their student-athletes for success in their careers after their playing days. The high graduation rate for college football players is a testament to everyone involved with our sport and their commitment to ensuring the future success of their players."
 
Both Ohio State in the FBS and Harvard in the FCS posted perfect scores of 1,000 for their football players who all maintained their eligibility and progress-toward-degree requirements during the 2022-23 four-year multi-rate period.
 
The Top 20 FBS Football Teams (2022-2023, Multi-Year Rate)
1. Ohio State (1000)
2. Alabama (997)
3. Northwestern (996)
3. North Carolina (996)
5. Clemson (995)
6. Cincinnati (994)
7. Michigan (993)
7. Wisconsin (993)
9. Air Force (992)
9. Minnesota (992)
9. Notre Dame (992)
12. Wake Forest (991)
13. Kansas State (990)
13. Missouri (990)
15. Iowa State (988)
15. Rice (988)
17. Duke (987)
17. Louisville (987)
17. Mississippi (987)
20. Auburn (986)
20. Stanford (986)
 
The Top 10 FCS Football Teams (2022-2023, Multi-Year Rate)
1. Harvard (1000)
2. Columbia (999)
3. North Dakota (996)
4. Elon (995)
5. Colgate (992)
6. Davidson (991)
7. North Dakota State (990)
8. Dartmouth (989)
9. Bryant (987)
9. Holy Cross (987)
9. Lehigh (987)
9. Dayton (987)
9. Pennsylvania (987)
 
Quotes from Coaches and Administrators on the Report
(Listed alphabetically by last name)
 
Colgate Vice President and Director of Athletics Yariv Amir (ColgateAthletics.com)
"The commitment to academic excellence by our student-athletes is once again reflected in the NCAA's latest academic progress data. I continue to be inspired by their achievements in competition, in the classroom, and in the community. Congratulations to the student-athletes on this accomplishment and thank you to all of our campus partners that help support and guide their academic pursuits."
 
Auburn Athletics Director John Cohen (AuburnTigers.com)
"These exceptional APR results exemplify the commitment Auburn student-athletes demonstrate daily in the classroom and in competition. We commend them for their diligence and salute their families for instilling the value of education. Auburn's coaches and academic support staff play a vital role in helping student-athletes balance the demands of SEC athletics with Auburn University's rigorous academics."
 
Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day (Columbus Dispatch)
"It speaks to the maturity of our team... It's cool to go to class. It's cool to get your degree. It's cool to do well in school... SASSO (Student-Athlete Support Services Office) and the entire staff do a great job providing our guys with the resources they need through tutors, but ultimately it goes back to our guys. They're the ones who have to do that and very proud of the work they're doing."
 
Iowa State Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services Amber Giese (Cyclone.com)
"The APR data continues to demonstrate the commitment by our coaches and student-athletes to make academics a priority. We are grateful for the important role that Iowa State's faculty and staff play in supporting the academic success of our student-athletes, too."
 
Northwestern Combe Family VP of Athletics & Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg (NUSports.com)
"Combined with our 98% Graduation Success Rate, this latest APR data is a perfect bookend to what was an incredible year for Northwestern Athletics. What we achieved in both academics and athletics, including seven conference championships – a record number – equates to a banner year for the department. We are extremely proud of what our student-athletes, coaches and support staff accomplished this year."
 
Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel (PatriotLeague.org)
"Our coaches and institutions do exceptional work in recruiting and supporting student-athletes that desire and are committed to the Patriot League experience," said. "The ultimate measure of success is graduating from a Patriot League institution, so to continue to lead the nation in student-athlete retention and academic progress trends is an affirmation of that dedication."
 
ACC Commissioner and NFF Trustee Dr. Jim Phillips (TheACC.com)
"Our student-athletes consistently demonstrate exceptional performance both academically and athletically, and today's APR report is just another example. We take great pride in the unrelenting achievement of our programs and applaud the student-athletes, coaches and administrators who work tirelessly in prioritizing success."
 
Holy Cross Deputy Dir. of Athletics & Senior Women Administrator Rose Shea (GoHolyCross.com)
"Our stellar NCAA Academic Progress Rate reflects the commitment from the Holy Cross community to support the student-athlete model at an elite level, and we celebrate this outstanding achievement. We are consistently grateful for the unwavering support our student-athletes receive from our faculty, coaches, staff and administration."
 
Elon Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley (ElonPhoenix.com)
"I am incredibly proud of our student-athletes, who continue to excel academically and set the standard for academic success. It takes the commitment, prioritization and collaboration of our students, coaches, academic support staff and our campus to achieve these goals and I am grateful to everyone for their unwavering commitment to our academic success. Setting the standard for academic excellence will continue to be a cornerstone of our athletic program."
 
A full list of APRs for each team can be accessed by using the APR searchable database.
 
APR Calculation
Adopted in 2003 at the NCAA Convention as a more immediate measure of a team's academic performance, the APR is calculated as follows:
 

• Each student-athlete receiving athletically related financial aid earns one point for staying in school and one point for being academically eligible.
• A team's total points are divided by points possible and then multiplied by 1,000 to equal the team's Academic Progress Rate.
• In addition to a team's current-year APR, its rolling four-year APR is also used to determine accountability.
• Teams must earn a four-year average APR of 930 to compete in championships. Typically, teams that scored below the benchmark would have to face penalties that encourage an emphasis and prioritization on academics. However, due to the current penalty suspension in place, teams will not be subjected to penalties this year. Last year, APR data was not released publicly, and penalties were not assessed.

 
Click here for an explanation of the APR.