UK Athletes Tie School Record for Graduation Rate
University of Kentucky student-athletes tied the school record for Graduation Success Rate in the annual report issued Tuesday by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
“Graduation is a cornerstone of the student-athlete experience, we’re proud to match our record in that area, and are striving for even greater heights in the future,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “It is a team effort, obviously beginning with our student-athletes, along with the support and encouragement of our coaches and the CATS (Center for Academic and Tutorial Services) staff.”
UK’s NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR), a four-year composite statistic for the freshman classes of 2012-13 through 2015-16, was 92 percent. That tied the record set in each of the past two years, continuing UK Athletics’ streak of breaking or tying the mark every year since the NCAA began tracking the statistic in 2005.
In addition to tying the school record, Kentucky’s GSR of 92 percent is three points above the Division I national average of 89 percent.
The GSR includes student-athletes who are on scholarship their first semester of enrollment. Athletes who transfer or depart for the professional ranks in good standing do not count against the school’s GSR. Schools also are allowed to count incoming transfers and January enrollees who subsequently graduate toward the GSR.
Here are UK Athletics’ GSR scores in the 18-year history of the measure:
Year NCAA GSR
2022 92%
2021 92
2020 92
2019 91
2018 88
2017 85
2016 82
2015 81
2014 81
2013 79
2012 79
2011 77
2010 74
2009 73
2008 73
2007 71
2006 71
2005 68
The NCAA also released each school’s Federal Graduation Rate (FGR), which is also a four-year composite statistic for freshman classes from 2012-13 through 2015-16. UK’s latest FGR mark is 63%, three points away from the school record set last year. Data for this statistic is available since 1991.
In the FGR, student-athletes who transfer or depart early for the professional ranks count as non-graduates, regardless of their academic standing or subsequent graduation from another institution. Incoming transfer students, from junior college or four-year schools, who graduate at UK are not counted as graduates. These factors account for the difference between the FGR and the NCAA GSR.
UK Athletics also set a school record with 135 Wildcats receiving diplomas or certifications in the 2021-22 academic year alone. UK student-athletes are also receiving high marks in the classroom, combining to surpass the department’s goal of a 3.0 grade-point average in 20 consecutive semesters.
