W&M Athletics continues to lead national academic achievement
Top-ranked: In each of the 16 years that the NCAA has been releasing graduation data, W&M has ranked first out of all public colleges and universities in the Federal Graduation Rate (FGR). Graphic courtesy of W&M Athletics
"William & Mary student-athletes embrace that excellence in competition is predicated on success in the classroom," said Interim Director of Athletics Jeremy P. Martin Ph.D. '12, M.B.A. '17. "It's wonderful to see this core value upheld year in and year out by our incredible student-athletes, coaches and staff. Each generation rises to meet the rigor of a William & Mary education, which benefits them throughout their lives after graduation."
In each of the 16 years that the NCAA has been releasing graduation data, W&M has ranked first out of all public colleges and universities in the Federal Graduation Rate (FGR). William & Mary's 86% FGR is well ahead of the national average for all student-athletes (69%), which is also the overall rate for all students nation-wide. W&M's 86% student-athlete FGR ranked tied for 14th overall among all schools. Six teams at W&M earned an FGR of 100% for the second time in the last three years, including men's basketball, men's & women's gymnastics, men's & women's swimming and men's tennis
In the Graduation Success Rate (GSR), W&M was also exceptional, with the second-highest mark among public universities and for tied for 43rd overall. W&M had a department GSR of 95% for the second year in a row and tied for the third-highest ever, just a single percentage point off its all-time high. Among public schools, only the University of North Carolina Asheville at 96% ranked higher. That also ranked W&M tied for first among all Virginia universities. The GSR differs from the FGR by also including students who transfer into an institution, and by removing athletes who transfer out in good academic standing. The national average for the four-year GSR this year was 87.92%, an increase of almost one point over last year's number.
W&M had 13 teams report a 100% GSR, its highest number since having 15 in 2009-10. This is the fifth year in a row that the number of teams with a perfect graduation rate has increased. That list includes five teams who have achieved a perfect GSR every year, including men's and women's gymnastics, men's tennis, women's golf and volleyball. The men's golf team had a perfect score for the fifth year in a row, and the women's soccer team was honored for the fourth year in a row. Men's basketball and women's lacrosse were both on the perfect list for the third year in a row, while women's swimming and women's tennis both were noted for the second consecutive year. Finally, the men's cross country and track & field teams earned a perfect GSR for the first time since 2009-10.
The data above is covering the cohort of students who began higher education in the fall of 2013 and the four-year average of students who first enrolled between the fall of 2010 through the fall of 2013.
To see a table containing additional information, visit the W&M Athletics website.
