Photo by: Emily Paine
Bucknell Athletics Has One of its Best Performances in Annual NCAA Graduation Rate Study
11/16/2022 12:41:00 PM | General
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The NCAA issued its latest graduation rates report this week, and Bucknell Athletics once again produced some of the highest figures in the nation. Under the NCAA's Graduation Success Rate (GSR) formula, 24 of Bucknell's 27 varsity programs, including all 14 women's programs, maintained perfect scores of 100 for student-athletes entering between 2012-13 and 2015-16, which led to an overall GSR of 99 percent that ranks second among all Division I institutions. Additionally, according to the U.S. Department of Education's more-restrictive graduation-rate standards, Bucknell ranks third nationally with a four-class average of 91 percent, which is up two points from last year's report.
Northwestern led the way with a federal graduation rate (FGR) of 95%, followed by Stanford at 92%. Bucknell, Villanova, and Davidson were next at 91%. (Note that the Ivy League schools and service academies do not fully report FGR data.)
Bucknell has led the nation in student-athlete graduation rate on several occasions, including as recently as 2013, and annually ranks in the top 10.
In addition to the federal graduation rate report, the NCAA also releases its own GSR results, and Bucknell once again scored very well in that formula. Bucknell's 99% figure is up one point from last year and ranks second nationally behind only Columbia. Harvard, Villanova, and Yale also graded out at 99%.
The GSR differs from the federal graduation-rate formula in that the GSR factors in transfer students who do graduate and does not penalize schools for losing transfers who leave in good academic standing.
The following Bison programs have perfect 100 percent GSR ratings in the latest report: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country/track & field, field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, rowing, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming & diving, women's tennis, volleyball, and men's and women's water polo. The Bison football squad was not far off at 96%.
The national GSR for the entering class of 2015 held steady at 90 percent, equaling the all-time high.
By the federal guidelines, these Bison programs boast perfect 100-percent graduation rates: men's cross country/track & field, men's lacrosse, rowing, men's soccer, men's and women's tennis, volleyball, and men's water polo.
Bucknell sponsors 27 intercollegiate sports at the Division I level. It is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in 18 of the 31 years it has been contested.
Northwestern led the way with a federal graduation rate (FGR) of 95%, followed by Stanford at 92%. Bucknell, Villanova, and Davidson were next at 91%. (Note that the Ivy League schools and service academies do not fully report FGR data.)
Bucknell has led the nation in student-athlete graduation rate on several occasions, including as recently as 2013, and annually ranks in the top 10.
In addition to the federal graduation rate report, the NCAA also releases its own GSR results, and Bucknell once again scored very well in that formula. Bucknell's 99% figure is up one point from last year and ranks second nationally behind only Columbia. Harvard, Villanova, and Yale also graded out at 99%.
The GSR differs from the federal graduation-rate formula in that the GSR factors in transfer students who do graduate and does not penalize schools for losing transfers who leave in good academic standing.
The following Bison programs have perfect 100 percent GSR ratings in the latest report: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country/track & field, field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, rowing, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming & diving, women's tennis, volleyball, and men's and women's water polo. The Bison football squad was not far off at 96%.
The national GSR for the entering class of 2015 held steady at 90 percent, equaling the all-time high.
By the federal guidelines, these Bison programs boast perfect 100-percent graduation rates: men's cross country/track & field, men's lacrosse, rowing, men's soccer, men's and women's tennis, volleyball, and men's water polo.
Bucknell sponsors 27 intercollegiate sports at the Division I level. It is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in 18 of the 31 years it has been contested.
In The Herd: Patriot League And Home Opener Preview And Cameron Lloyd Feature
Wednesday, September 17
In The Herd: World Championships Preview And Evelyn Bliss Feature
Tuesday, September 16
(Coaches Camera) Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 15
Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 15