UK Athletics Surpasses 3.0 Overall GPA for 28th Straight Semester

LEXINGTON, Ky. – With grades for the 2026 spring semester now finalized, University of Kentucky Athletics has surpassed its goal of a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average for 28 straight semesters, as Wildcat student-athletes combined to achieve a GPA of 3.471. All 23 varsity programs achieved a 3.0 team GPA or higher in the spring, an incredible feat.

The women’s volleyball team led the department with a spring GPA of 3.865, setting the benchmark among all 23 varsity teams. The men’s soccer team led all men’s teams in GPA with a mark of 3.61.

Individually, 459 Wildcats achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher, including 136 Cats who reached 4.0 for the semester.

In 2008, UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart charged the athletics department to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. That charge has led to an impressive 28 straight semesters of success and numerous individual academic accomplishments by Wildcats.

“In a time of unprecedented change marked by roster movement across college athletics, sustaining this level of academic success speaks volumes about the strength of our academic culture,” Barnhart said. “This semester marked the highest department-wide GPA we have achieved in years. Nearly 460 of our 539 student-athletes finished the semester with a 3.0 GPA or better, demonstrating how individual effort adds up to collective excellence. At Kentucky, the educational mission remains central. We’re proud that our student-athletes continue to meet that standard and grateful for the tireless work of our staff in supporting student-athletes throughout each of their unique journeys.”

In the fall of 2025, Kentucky posted a 3.414 as a department with 419 athletes with a 3.0 or higher and134 with a 4.0.

UK’s high marks in the fall and spring semesters add yet another milestone of academic success for UK student-athletes. Recently, a total of 98 current and former University of Kentucky student-athletes participated in Spring 2026 Commencement with three earning master’s degrees. Adding the 25 student-athletes who graduated in December 2025, UK Athletics had 123 graduates during the 2025-26 school year.

Guided by UK Athletics’ Student-Athlete Experience Division, Wednesday’s GPA news is a continuation of the academic accomplishments of UK student-athletes:

Earlier this month, the NCAA released its Academic Progress Rate report, showing that all University of Kentucky sports teams surpassed the NCAA goal score.

With all Kentucky team scores combined, UK notched an overall mark of 991 out of a possible 1,000 – five points higher than the national overall APR of 986. Fourteen of the 20 UK team scores exceeded the national average in their sports.

Eight Kentucky teams – women’s basketball, women’s cross country, men’s golf, women’s golf, gymnastics, softball, women’s tennis and volleyball – led the way with perfect 1,000 marks over the previous four years. Having eight teams notch perfect scores over a four-year period ties the school record set two years ago.

Other academic highlights this year were:

• The 2025 fall semester was the 27th straight for UK Athletics with a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average. The 2026 spring semester grades will be available next week.
• 55 Wildcats were named recently to the 2025-26 Winter Sports Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll for having a 3.0 grade-point average for the preceding academic year or a cumulative 3.0 GPA.
• In the most recent NCAA Graduation Success Rate report, UK set a school record of 93 percent, three points above the national average of 90 percent.

Below is a full GPA report from UK teams in the spring of 2026.