ST. LOUIS – A near-record percentage of Saint Louis University student-athletes in the 2015-18 cohort period earned a degree, as reported recently by the NCAA in its latest Division I Graduation Success Rate (GSR) and Federal Graduation Rate data.
 
Saint Louis compiled a GSR score of 96, which is well above the national average of 90. Eight Billiken programs – women's basketball, men's cross country/track and field, women's cross country/track and field, field hockey, softball, men's swimming and diving, men's tennis and volleyball – attained a perfect GSR of 100.
 
"I know our student-athletes join me in expressing gratitude to the faculty, advisors and academic staff throughout the University who help them meet the rigorous challenges they face in attaining their educational goals," SLU Director of Athletics said. "This remarkable GSR score reflects how strongly our student-athletes embrace their academic opportunities and is a source of great pride for our department. Our young men and women understand the value of a Saint Louis University degree, and they deserve tremendous credit for working hard to fulfill our strategic objective of providing an educational experience second to none."
 
The NCAA developed the Graduation Success Rate as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. The rate, which is calculated for every sport, holds institutions accountable for transfer students and accounts for mid-year enrollees.
 
Using a six-year time frame, the GSR measures graduation rates of student-athletes. Transfer students are included in the calculation of the GSR. If a student-athlete transfers from an institution in good academic standing, the transfers are merely passed on to the new institution.