Razorbacks Record Program-Best Graduation Success Rate for Third-Consecutive Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the third-consecutive year, University of Arkansas student-athletes have combined to earn the top graduation success rate (GSR) in the history of the Razorback program according to a report released this week by the NCAA. Razorback student-athletes that entered school in 2016 earned a GSR of 88 percent, the highest GSR in school history, besting the previous program record of 87 percent accomplished last year.

The latest GSR marked the 15th-consecutive rate of more than 70 percent by Razorback student-athletes. It marks the eighth-consecutive year that the GSR has been 78 percent or higher with this year’s GSR ranking reaching 80 percent or better for the sixth time.

The GSR was developed as an improved measurement tool for tracking student-athletes’ academic progress leading toward graduation. The University of Arkansas has steadily improved its GSR rate since the measurement was implemented by the NCAA 19 years ago rising from an initial rate of 60 percent to a record 88 percent in the numbers released this week. Most recently, the program posted a 98 percent Razorback Graduation Rate, which is reflective of Arkansas student-athletes who have completed their athletics eligibility.

Arkansas’ record marks in the classroom have coincided with the most successful collective years in Razorback Athletics history. The Razorbacks have recorded their three-best Learfield Directors’ Cup finishes in program history in the past three years. Arkansas has won 33 SEC team championships in the past six years, including 15 conference titles in the past three years alone. Both marks lead all SEC programs and the Razorbacks’ 33 titles are more than seven other league programs combined in that same timeframe.

In the 2022-23 academic year, Arkansas recorded one of the most successful years in the program’s history, finishing 13th in the Learfield Directors’ Cup. Academically, Razorback student-athletes combined for a 3.20 cumulative GPA and 166 student-athletes earned academic personal bests. A total of 72 Razorback student-athletes graduated and another 12 earned graduate certificates.

“Congratulations to the outstanding Razorback student-athletes who continue to achieve record-breaking success in the classroom and on the fields and courts of athletic competition,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek said. “While we will always cherish the wins and championships achieved in their time as Razorbacks, the lasting legacy of our student-athletes will be as graduates of the University of Arkansas, their names forever inscribed on Senior Walk. I am appreciative of the hard work of our student-athletes and am thankful for the dedicated efforts of our coaches, academic support team and all those who have invested in our mission of Building Champions and Razorbacks for Life.”

In addition to the GSR, the NCAA established the Academic Progress Rate (APR) that provides institutions with a more real-time indicator of academic success. In the most recent APR release last spring, Arkansas exceeded the APR benchmark in all 19 sports for the 10th consecutive time including each sport exceeding the benchmark by at least 29 points. The program earned a 984.4 APR average across all sports, marking the 11th straight listing the program average exceeded 970.

Graduation Success Rate Report

Razorback Athletics Graduation Success Rates