The NCAA released the student-athlete graduation success rate for all NCAA Division I institutions Wednesday.
The graduation success rate determined the number of student-athletes who entered in 2003 and graduated within six years. The rate also takes into account student-athletes who transfer.
The release helps to eliminate the perception of athletes being “dumb jocks,” NCAA President Mark Emmert told ESPN.com in a conference call.
“If you ask people what their perception is of student-athletes versus general students, they say they’re not doing as well,” Emmert said. “But the reality is they’re doing just as well.”
For MSU, the overall graduation success rate across all sports was 80 percent. The men’s and women’s tennis, field hockey, gymnastics and women’s soccer teams were all at least 90 percent, whereas the football and men’s basketball team were significantly lower.
Among the Big Ten conference, Northwestern ranked first for football with 95 percent and MSU placed last with 55 percent.
For men’s basketball, Illinois was first with 100 percent and MSU’s 50 percent was ranked ninth.
“We are by no means satisfied by what we are reporting, but it’s a step in the right direction,” Emmert said.
To see all the numbers released by the NCAA, click here
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