CHICAGO (Nov. 20, 2024) – The UIC Department of Athletics continues to maintain its high standard of academic excellence, with Wednesday's announcement of the school's 92-percent overall NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in the latest NCAA report. In addition, half (7) of the Flames' 14 measured programs earned a perfect 100 percent NCAA GSR score (cross country/track & field are considered a combined program for purposes of this calculation). This marks the fourth consecutive year UIC has topped the 90-percent mark on its department-wide NCAA GSR score.

"We are incredibly proud of the continued academic success of our student-athletes, as demonstrated by our latest GSR scores," said UIC Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Andrea Williams. "It clearly reflects the dedication and hard work of our student-athletes, coaches and academic support staff, all of whom are committed to excelling both in the classroom and in competition.

"To have seven programs earn perfect 100-percent scores is a remarkable accomplishment and speaks to the high standard of excellence we strive for at UIC," she added. "As a department, we will continue to foster an environment where elite academic achievement is celebrated alongside world-class athletic success, ensuring our student-athletes receive a well-rounded experience that prepares them for greatness both during and after their time at UIC."

The seven UIC athletics programs that recorded 100 percent NCAA GSR scores last year were men's tennis, women's cross country/track & field, women's golf, softball, women's swimming & diving, women's tennis and volleyball. Among the more traditional Federal Graduation Rate (FGR), both the UIC women's golf and softball programs produced perfect 100-percent marks.

This marks the 14th consecutive year the Flames volleyball team has graduated 100 percent of its student-athletes. It is also the sixth year in a row that the UIC women's swimming & diving and women's tennis squads recorded a perfect NCAA GSR score.

Four other UIC programs — baseball, men's cross country/track & field, women's basketball and women's soccer — checked in with graduation rates of 90 percent or better.

"Success for our Flames student-athletes is not only measured by their performances in competition, but by the resilience, discipline and determination they display in balancing academics and athletics," said Karen Dixon, UIC associate athletics director for academic services. "Graduation is their true victory and I am pleased to see them continue to demonstrate success in athletics, academics and life beyond UIC."

The latest NCAA GSR announcement comes on the heels of another impressive academic year for UIC Athletics in 2023-24 with a 3.35 department-wide grade-point average (GPA), which marks the 20th consecutive semester that Flames student-athletes combined to post a 3.0 GPA or better. In addition, all 18 UIC programs achieved a 3.0 team GPA or better, led by women's golf (3.78) and men's tennis (3.54). Nearly half (139) of UIC's 300+ student-athletes also earned Dean's List honors last spring, with 59 registering a perfect 4.0 GPA.

In August, the Missouri Valley Conference recognized 179 UIC student-athletes with a place on the MVC Honor Roll (3.2 GPA or higher), including 86 who received the MVC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award (3.5 GPA or higher) and 15 who garnered the league's highest academic achievement, the MVC Board of Directors Academic Excellence Award (3.8 GPA or higher).

What is the Graduation Success Rate (GSR)?

The NCAA developed the Graduation Success Rate (GSR) in 2002 to more fully reflect the academic achievement of student-athletes.

The traditional Federal Graduation Rate (FGR) compiled by the U.S. Department of Education is used as an indicator of academic success for all college students. For student-athletes, it measures the cohort of first-time, full-time freshman on athletics aid who enter in the fall semester and graduate within six years of entering their original four-year institution. UIC's Federal Graduation Rate (FGR) for student-athletes is 75 percent, which is 14 percent higher than UIC's general student population.

Calculation of the GSR begins with the cohort the federal methodology identifies, but additionally includes student-athletes the federal rate omits — (1) incoming transfer student-athletes who receive athletics aid, and (2) freshmen on athletics aid who enroll at midyear rather than in fall. The GSR also does not penalize colleges whose student-athletes transfer in good academic standing, as those student-athletes are effectively moved into the cohort of the destination colleges.

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