General 12/8/2023 9:26:09 AM America East Institutions Perform Well in Latest NCAA GSR Data BOSTON – America East Conference member institutions, programs and student-athletes continue to excel academically, according to NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data released on Wednesday. The figures reflect graduation numbers among student-athletes who enrolled in college in 2016. Most notably, America East men’s basketball student-athletes ranked among the best in their sport, tying for eighth overall with a 92 percent GSR, six points higher than the national average. America East was tied for second among the more than 30 Division I conferences in the Federal Rate. The 2023 men’s basketball rates improved markedly from 2022, rising 11 and 10 percent, respectively. “I continue to be impressed by our student-athletes,” said America East Commissioner, Brad Walker. “They continue to perform at a high level academically to earn their degrees all while balancing the demands of being a Division I student-athlete. This is an impressive feat by itself, but to accomplish it at our institutions, where the academic demands are high, elevates the achievement.” University of Vermont ranked as the top America East school with a perfect GSR of 100. Bryant University and NJIT tied for second with a score of 95. Forty-six programs from America East schools earned perfect GSRs, led by Bryant (11), Vermont (10) and University of New Hampshire (9). Both women’s basketball and baseball improved from 2022. Women’s basketball rose two percent to 94 while baseball improved by five percent to 87. Overall, America East student-athletes graduated at an average rate of 91 percent, ranking among the top half of Division I conferences. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors created the GSR in 2002 in response to Division I college and university presidents who wanted data that more accurately reflected the mobility of college students beyond what the federal graduation rate measures. The federal rate counts as an academic failure any student who leaves a school, even if the student enrolls at another school. Additionally, the federal rate does not recognize students who enter school as transfer students. The GSR formula removes from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initially enrolling elsewhere. This calculation provides a more accurate appraisal of student-athlete success. The NCAA releases sport data in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball and football. About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field. - Building the Complete Student-Athlete -