Seventy-Seven Current or Former Razorback Student-Athletes Graduated in 2010-11

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas student-athletes who entered school in a four-year period from 2001-04 had a graduation success rate of 73 percent, the highest rate in school history, according to the most recent numbers released by the NCAA. The graduation success rates for all NCAA institutions were released on Tuesday as well as the six-year Federal Graduation rate for each institution.

The graduation success rate was developed as an improved measurement tool for tracking student-athletes’ academic progress leading toward graduation. The graduation success rate is a four-year snapshot of a program’s academic progress. The University of Arkansas has improved its graduation success rate each year since the measurement was implemented seven years ago, rising from an initial rate of 60 percent to 73 percent in the numbers released on Tuesday.

“I am pleased that for the sixth-consecutive year our program has improved upon our graduation success rate,” said Jeff Long, vice chancellor and director of athletics. “While the GSR does not provide a real time measurement, our record rate combined with a growing number of student-athletes earning their college degrees show we are making significant progress. Our broadly focused academic approach, targeted on graduation rather than maintaining athletic eligibility, has resulted in more student-athletes maintaining their academic track toward earning their diplomas. Although we have seen dramatic improvement in the past few years, we must continue to work to improve the graduation rate for our student-athletes.”    

The most recent federal graduation rate for the University of Arkansas, 52 percent, is based on scholarship student-athletes that enrolled full time in 2004. The percentage marks the third time in seven reports, including the second-consecutive year, the federal graduation rate has exceeded 50 percent. The overall student rate at the University of Arkansas was 58 percent in the latest reporting period. Federal graduation rates do not account for transfers or other student-athletes that leave institutions in good academic standing.

“Our goal is to meet and exceed the graduation rate of the general student population at the University of Arkansas,” Long said. “We have closed that gap in the past two years, but still have progress to make to match our overall student rate and meet our goal of helping to lead our institution academically.”

In 2010-11, a total of 77 current or former Razorback student-athletes earned their college degrees from the University of Arkansas.

In addition to graduation success rate and federal six-year graduation rates, the NCAA established the Academic Progress Rate that provides institutions with a more real-time indicator of academic success. Last spring, Arkansas exceeded the APR benchmark of 925 by more than 10 points in 18 of 19 sports.

For more information regarding Razorback Athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.