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Loyola Achieves Top GSR Mark In NCAA Division I For Second Year In A Row

Ramblers tie with five other schools for top mark in the country at 99 percent

CHICAGO (November 8, 2017) – For the second straight year, Loyola University Chicago earned the top mark among all Division I institutions by posting a 99 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) according to the latest figures released today by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
 
The 99 percent GSR, tied with Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Gonzaga University, Harvard University and Yale University for the highest in the country, also ranks first among Missouri Valley Conference institutions and tied for first among Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. This marks the third straight year that Loyola has placed among the top three schools in the nation in GSR scores. Last year, Harvard tied Loyola for the No. 1 mark at 99 percent.
 
"I continue to be in awe of the remarkable achievements of our student-athletes both in their respective sport and in the classroom" Director of Athletics Steve Watson said. "This type of accomplishment is a testament to the type of individuals our coaches are identifying in the recruiting process and to the tremendous work of our academic services staff in providing the necessary guidance and support in pursuit of academic excellence."
 
Ten of Loyola's 11 programs recorded a perfect score of 100 in the latest GSR report. Women's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross country/track and field, men's and women's soccer and softball all scored 100 percent.
 
Men's volleyball is a classic example of getting it done in the classroom with a perfect score of 100, while at the same time getting it done competitively by winning back-to-back NCAA championships in 2014 and 2015. In addition, the Loyola men's soccer also reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2016 and put up a perfect GSR score in the latest report.
 
Developed to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes, the NCAA Graduation Success Rate takes into account transfers, unlike the federal graduation rate. The GSR also accounts for midyear enrollees and is calculated for every sport. Under the calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing students who leave in good academic standing. Outgoing transfers are included in the receiving institution's GSR cohort.
 
The most recent Division I Graduation Success Rates are based on the four entering classes from 2007-10. The NCAA began compiling these figures with the entering freshman class of 1995.