The NCAA released graduation rates for the four-year period covering incoming freshmen classes from 2001-04. Both Women’s Fencing (93%) and Men’s Fencing (86%) beat the average graduation rate of 82%. Fencing came in behind lacrosse and skiing in this survey, but remains a top-5 sport for both men and women when tracking academic success.
According to the NCAA release, the most recent Division I Graduation Success Rates are based on the four entering classes from 2001-2002 through 2004-05. Nearly 105,000 student-athletes are included in the most recent four classes using the GSR methodology, as compared to about 76,500 in the federal rate. The differences in methodology is a cause for concern to critics of the NCAAs statistics.
NCAA Graduation Rates by Men’s Sports
Gymnastics, 88 percent
Lacrosse, 88 percent
Skiing, 88 percent
Fencing, 86 percent
Tennis, 86 percent
Swimming, 85 percent
Water polo, 85 percent
Ice hockey, 82 percent
Golf, 81 percent
Rifle, 79 percent
Soccer, 79 percent
Cross country/track, 76 percent
Volleyball, 76 percent
Wrestling, 73 percent
Baseball, 72 percent
Football Bowl Subdivision (120 teams), 67 percent
Football Championship Subdivision (120 teams), 66 percent
Basketball, 66 percent
NCAA Graduation Rates by Women’s Sports
Field hockey, 94 percent
Lacrosse, 94 percent
Skiing, 94 percent
Fencing, 93 percent
Crew, 92 percent
Gymnastics, 92 percent
Swimming, 91 percent
Water polo, 91 percent
Soccer, 89 percent
Tennis, 89 percent
Golf , 88 percent
Ice hockey, 88 percent
Volleyball, 88 percent
Softball, 86 percent
Cross country/track, 85 percent
Basketball, 84 percent
Rifle, 79 percent
Bowling, 77 percent