University of South Florida Student-Athletes Post Record Numbers in Latest Graduation Success Rate Report

Five teams posted a 100 percent Graduation Success Rate.

TAMPA, Fla. (November 21, 2024) — University of South Florida student-athletes continue to excel academically, achieving a record average percentage of graduates, according to the latest NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report.

USF improved its average overall GSR to a program-record 88 percent, up one percentage point from last year’s previous record score. This marks the fourth straight year that USF’s average overall GSR has been 85 percent or above.

The 2017-2018 cohort reported a single-year rate of 93 percent, a USF Athletics record. 

The GSR report is a four-class average that includes student-athletes who entered as freshmen in 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18, and graduated within a six-year period. It also accounts for mid-year enrollees, transferring student-athletes coming into USF, and those leaving the university in good standing.

Additionally, five sports earned a perfect grade on the recent report: men’s golf, men’s tennis, women’s golf, women’s soccer, and softball all reported a 100 percent GSR.

“These successes in the classroom highlight the incredible momentum we are riding as a university,” said USF Vice President for Athletics, Michael Kelly. “With our recent inclusion in the prestigious Association of American Universities, historic academic achievements like these, and transformational projects like our on-campus stadium underway, USF Athletics is building a model athletic department for modern times – one that emphasizes excellence in academics, athletics, and community impact. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff.”

Across the nation, Division I student-athletes are graduating at record rates, the NCAA announced this week.

The recent GSR report complements the Bulls’ sustained excellence in the classroom. USF student-athletes have posted 19 consecutive semesters with an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, including a 3.31 GPA during the spring 2024 semester—the highest on record outside of the spring 2020 term. A total of 336 student-athletes earned recognition on the USF Athletics Honor Roll.

More than two dozen student-athletes are set to graduate during fall commencement ceremonies.

About USF Athletics

USF Athletics sponsors 21 varsity men’s and women’s teams that compete in 13 different sports, 20 at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference, including the recent additions of women’s lacrosse and women’s beach volleyball. The Bulls’ athletic program began in 1965 and will be in its 59th season in 2024-25. Nearly 500 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in Tampa, Fla. USF has garnered 16 national championships in varsity sports (the latest in 2022-23 in the NCAA indoor and outdoor high jump) and owns 150 conference titles won in 16 sports in department history, led by 20 each for men’s tennis and men’s soccer. USF has claimed 80 men’s conference championships and 70 women’s titles, led by 14 in women’s tennis and 13 in volleyball, and owns 33 American Athletic Conference team titles since joining the conference in 2013, including four in 2023-24. USF student-athletes have posted a combined annual grade-point average over 3.0 for a program record of 19 straight semesters as of spring 2024. USF has had over 700 student-athletes earn their degree since 2016-17.

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