Photo by: Mason Flick/Northwestern Athletics
New NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) Data Underscores Wildcats' Commitment to Academics
5/6/2025 2:00:00 PM | General, Academic Services & Student Development
EVANSTON, Ill. – Nine Northwestern teams earned a perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) score in the latest data released Tuesday by the NCAA. This number is up from seven teams last year.
Northwestern Cross Country, Field Hockey, Women's Golf, Lacrosse, Softball, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Men's Golf, and Men's Tennis all posted unblemished scores of 1000 in the current data. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from 2020-21 through the 2023-24 academic years.
"It's a privilege to witness the consistent excellence of our student-athletes, and this increase to nine teams achieving a perfect APR score is another wonderful example," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. "Their ability to excel at such a high level athletically while also achieving remarkable academic success never ceases to impress me, and it's a testament to their hard work and the support of our coaches and staff."
Women's Golf has produced a perfect score of 1000 for 19 consecutive years. Additional programs that have earned perfect scores in consecutive seasons include Volleyball (14 consecutive), Field Hockey (12 consecutive), Lacrosse (7 consecutive), Men's Tennis (5 consecutive), Women's Tennis (4 consecutive), and Men's Golf (3 consecutive).
Sixteen (16) of Northwestern's 19 varsity programs earned APR scores that either increased or remained the same compared to last year.
The release of APR data is the latest highlight in a year of academic distinction for Wildcats student-athletes. Northwestern's overall 98% NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) is tied for second across all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions and leads the Big Ten Conference for the 20th consecutive year. 'Cats have earned a 98% GSR for seven consecutive years. Wildcat student-athletes have also earned an impressive 218 Academic All-Big Ten honors, up from 189 last year, through the fall and winter seasons of the 2024-25 academic year.
Northwestern Cross Country, Field Hockey, Women's Golf, Lacrosse, Softball, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Men's Golf, and Men's Tennis all posted unblemished scores of 1000 in the current data. The most recent APRs are multi-year rates based on scores from 2020-21 through the 2023-24 academic years.
"It's a privilege to witness the consistent excellence of our student-athletes, and this increase to nine teams achieving a perfect APR score is another wonderful example," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. "Their ability to excel at such a high level athletically while also achieving remarkable academic success never ceases to impress me, and it's a testament to their hard work and the support of our coaches and staff."
Women's Golf has produced a perfect score of 1000 for 19 consecutive years. Additional programs that have earned perfect scores in consecutive seasons include Volleyball (14 consecutive), Field Hockey (12 consecutive), Lacrosse (7 consecutive), Men's Tennis (5 consecutive), Women's Tennis (4 consecutive), and Men's Golf (3 consecutive).
Sixteen (16) of Northwestern's 19 varsity programs earned APR scores that either increased or remained the same compared to last year.
The release of APR data is the latest highlight in a year of academic distinction for Wildcats student-athletes. Northwestern's overall 98% NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) is tied for second across all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institutions and leads the Big Ten Conference for the 20th consecutive year. 'Cats have earned a 98% GSR for seven consecutive years. Wildcat student-athletes have also earned an impressive 218 Academic All-Big Ten honors, up from 189 last year, through the fall and winter seasons of the 2024-25 academic year.
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