Hofstra Shines In Latest NCAA Graduation Success Rate Report

12/4/2024 2:30:00 PM

By: Len Skoros

Hempstead, NY - The NCAA has released its annual Graduation Success Rate data for incoming student-athletes from 2014 to 2017, and Hofstra University student-athletes compiled an impressive student-athlete graduation success rate of 97 percent, which is the Pride's highest GSR since its inception in 2002 and six points higher than the national average of 91 percent. It is also the third consecutive year that Hofstra's GSR was higher than 91 percent. In addition, Hofstra was tied with Northeastern for the highest GSR in the Coastal Athletic Association.

The NCAA's GSR metric allows student-athletes six years to earn their degrees. This year's rate is based on the average of student-athletes who enrolled in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. These classes must have graduated within six years of their enrollment.

A record 13 Hofstra teams - men's basketball, women's basketball, men's cross country/track, women's cross country/track, field hockey, men's golf, women's golf, men's soccer, softball, men's tennis, women's tennis, volleyball, and wrestling - earned 100 percent graduation success rates. It was the second consecutive year at least 10 Hofstra teams posted 100% GSR. Every Hofstra program posted GSRs higher or equal to (100%) the national federal rate.

"This data confirms what we already know about Hofstra student-athletes," said Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. "They are dedicated to their studies and to earning their degrees. It is through their hard work, as well as that of our coaches and academic support staff, that we are able to continue to build champions in academics. We thank everyone for their dedication and commitment to our athletic department's mission."

Several Hofstra teams have impressive streaks as the following programs have had perfect GSRs for two or more years in a row: women's golf (16), men's golf (13), field hockey (12), softball (11), women's cross country/track (8), women's tennis (8), women's basketball (7), volleyball (7), men's basketball (2), and men's tennis (2).

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 beyond what the federal graduation rate measures. The federal rate counts as an academic failure any student who leaves a school, no matter whether he or she enrolls at another school. Also, the federal rate does not recognize students who enter school as transfer students.

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 provides a more accurate appraisal of student-athlete success.

The rate also allows for a deeper understanding of graduation success in individual sports than the federal metric, which provides only broad groupings.

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