VILLANOVA, Pa.—In the latest set of Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data released by the NCAA on November 17, Villanova recorded its highest mark ever with a 97 percent rate in the NCAA GSR method.  The newest release of academic data shows record-breaking achievement in the classroom by NCAA student-athletes, while Villanova continues to maintain its position among the nation's elite universities for its combination of excellence in the academic and athletic arenas. 
 
In this week's GSR release, Villanova had 12 of its athletic programs post a perfect 100 percent graduation success rate for the 2010-2013 cohort.  This data measures the percentage of student-athletes who entered college on institutional aid (whether athletics-based aid or otherwise) between those years and graduated within six years.  Villanova had seven women's programs and five men's programs earn a 100 percent GSR in the release. 
 
The NCAA GSR differs from the federal graduation rate calculation in two important ways.  First, the GSR holds colleges accountable for those student-athletes who transfer into their school.  Second, the GSR does not penalize colleges whose student-athletes transfer in good academic standing.
 
The across-the-board success of Wildcats student-athletes stands out even more under close examination of the latest GSR data. Villanova is tied for the most teams (12) that achieved a perfect GSR score among BIG EAST schools, while each of the 16 Wildcats programs to have a score in the latest data exceeded the overall national average GSR (90 percent).
 
Villanova also performed particularly well in the high-profile sports of men's basketball, women's basketball and football. In basketball, the Wildcats were one of only two BIG EAST programs to achieve a 100 percent GSR score for both its men's and women's teams. Villanova was also one of two BIG EAST women's basketball programs to achieve a 100 percent score in both the GSR and federal rate calculations. The Wildcats FCS football program ranked third in the CAA with a 93 percent GSR and topped all CAA schools with a 91 percent federal calculation. The GSR score ranks well above the national average of 87 percent for FCS football programs.
 
The nationwide NCAA GSR scores, as well as the previous release of Academic Progress Rate (APR) information in the spring, showed the highest rates ever of academic success by Division I student-athletes.  For the fourth straight year, Villanova had at least 14 of its sport programs earn NCAA public recognition for having a multi-year APR score that ranked within the top 10 percent of its sport. 
 
During the past four academic years (2016-17 through 2019-20), the Wildcats won a combined 22 regular season and postseason BIG EAST championships.  Villanova made 16 national postseason appearances during the four-year stretch, including the men's basketball team winning its second national title in a three-year span in 2018. Women's swimming & diving won its program record seventh consecutive BIG EAST title in 2020, while the men's and women's indoor track & field teams each captured their third straight conference crown and the men's cross country team won its first BIG EAST title since 2014.
 
Villanova Programs Earning a 100 Percent NCAA Graduation Success Rate (2010-2013 Cohorts)
Men's Basketball
Women's Basketball
Field Hockey
Golf
Women's Lacrosse
Men's Soccer
Women's Soccer
Women's Swimming & Diving
Men's Tennis
Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Volleyball