Graduation rate of 83 percent is tied for sixth-highest among all 117 Division I-A institutions
University Park, Pa. -- Penn State student-athletes posted a record-tying graduation rate performance according to statistical information released recently by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The NCAA's annual study of institutions nationwide revealed that Penn State student-athletes at the University Park campus had a graduation rate of 83 percent, compared to a mark of 62 percent for all Division I-A institutions. The survey documented the entering freshman class of 1997-98 who earned degrees within six years. The report is produced annually from data collected by the U.S. Department of Education.
The 83 percent rate is tied for Penn State's best performance in the 14-year history of the report, with the entering class of 1989-90.
For the second time in three years, Nittany and Lady Lion student-athletes posted the highest graduation rate among the nation's public institutions, tied with the University of Virginia at 83 percent. Penn State and Virginia tied for the sixth-highest graduation rate overall among the nation's 117 Division I-A institutions.
"Penn State student-athletes exhibit tremendous academic achievement. Their success in the classroom continues a long-standing tradition of educational excellence and athletic ability," said Penn State President Graham B. Spanier. "This year's NCAA report highlights the exceptional caliber of their recent academic achievements."
The graduation rate for all Penn State students was 82 percent in the sample period. The four-year average rate for University Park student-athletes was 80 percent, significantly above the national average of 61 percent for student-athletes. The four-year average was second-highest in the Big Ten to Northwestern. The four-year average for University Park students was 81 percent, far exceeding the 62 percent rate for all students nationwide.
African-American student-athletes at Penn State continue to graduate at much higher percentages than at other Division I-A institutions. The 69 percent success rate marks the 14th straight year that Penn State's graduation rate for African-American student-athletes topped the African-American figures for Division I-A. At all institutions in the NCAA compilation, the African-American graduation percentile for the entering class of 1997-98 was 51 percent.
The Penn State football team produced another noteworthy academic performance, with 68 percent of the freshmen entering in 1997-98 earning their degrees, well above the national rate of 57 percent. The four-year average graduation rate for coach Joe Paterno's team was 74 percent, second only to Northwestern among Big Ten institutions.
African-American members of the Nittany Lion football team posted a notable 70 percent graduation rate, easily exceeding the Division I-A average of 49 percent. Penn State's four-year graduation average of 72 percent was second-highest in the Big Ten among African-American football players.
Penn State's four-year average was 25 points higher than the national average of 47 percent.
The members of Penn State's 14 women's teams demonstrated particularly impressive academic achievement, earning a superlative graduation rate of 94 percent -- 24 points better than the national average (70 percent) and surpassing their peers in the University student body (84 percent).
Penn State's 94 percent graduation rate by female student-athletes was the highest among Big Ten institutions.
Penn State's male student-athletes earned a noteworthy graduation rate of 78 percent, which was 23 percentage points better than the I-A national average of 55 percent. The figure was second-highest among Big Ten schools, exceeded only by Northwestern.
Of the Penn State student-athletes in the NCAA studies from 1988-89 through 1997-98 who exhausted their eligibility, 94 percent left with their diplomas.
This is the 14th release of institutional graduation rates since national "right-to-know" legislation was passed in 1990.
Among some of the other recent accomplishments of Penn State student-athletes and the staff of the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes, under the leadership of director Russ Mushinsky, are:
⢠During the 2004 spring semester, 379 Penn State student-athletes earned a grade point average of 3.0 or above, 57 percent of the 666 young men and women who were actively participating in Penn State's 29 varsity sports. Among the 379 student-athletes with a 3.0, 154 earned a 3.5 GPA or better to gain dean's list recognition (minimum of 12 credits). The 154 high-achievers represented 23.1 percent of Penn State's active student-athletes.
⢠Penn State's 29 varsity programs earned an average team GPA of 3.05 during the spring semester and 19 teams posted a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.
⢠During 2003-04, a school-record 245 Penn State student-athletes earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades, the third-highest total in conference history. Over the past 10 years, Penn State leads all Big Ten institutions with 2,057 academic all-conference honorees, easily the most among the conference institutions. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a letterwinner in at least their second academic year and carry a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
⢠Five Nittany and Lady Lion student-athletes were selected CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in 2003-04, including senior standout Kelly Mazzante, who was named the Academic All-American of the Year for Women's Basketball. Penn State has had 70 Academic All-Americans over the past 10 years. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a letterwinner in at least their second academic year and carry a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better.
⢠In addition, women's soccer All-American Joanna Lohman won an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, as well as first team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors for the third consecutive year.
⢠In 2002, Penn State was one of only 10 NCAA Division I-A institutions selected for U.S. News and World Report's College Sports Honor Roll for academic and athletic achievement.
Here is a comparison of key categories in the 2004 NCAA graduation rate survey, which covers the entering class of 1997-98 who earned degrees within six years (note: there are 117 schools in Division I-A and 328 schools in all of Division I):
All students
Penn State: 82 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 64 percent; NCAA Division I average: 60 percent.
Student-athletes
Penn State: 83 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 62 percent; NCAA Division I average: 62 percent.
Black students
Penn State: 68 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 49 percent; NCAA Division I average: 43 percent.
Black student-athletes
Penn State: 69 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 51 percent; NCAA Division I average: 52 percent.
Football
Penn State: 68 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 57 percent; NCAA Division I average: 55 percent.
Black football student-athletes
Penn State: 70 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 49 percent; NCAA Division I average: 48 percent.
Male students
Penn State: 81 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 61 percent; NCAA Division I average: 57 percent.
Male student-athletes
Penn State: 78 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 55 percent; NCAA Division I average: 55 percent.
Female students
Penn State: 84 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 66 percent; NCAA Division I average: 63 percent.
Female student-athletes
Penn State: 94 percent; NCAA Division I-A average: 70 percent; NCAA Division I average: 70 percent.
For complete information on the NCAA graduation report, visit http://www.ncaa.org/grad_rates/2004/d1/