Full Breakdown
NCAA Releases 2024-25 Academic Progress Rate Report
5/6/2026, 5:32:16 PM
APR: Purpose and Recent Trends
Implemented in 2003, the APR tracks each scholarship athlete’s eligibility and retention each term, awarding one point for staying on track for a degree and one point for remaining enrolled. The metric provides a real-time view of academic progress and determines whether programs meet the 930 threshold to compete in championships. The 2024-25 release shows the overall Division I average climbing to 986 for the second consecutive year.
Performance Highlights Across Division I
- Arizona: All programs posted multiyear APRs above 930, comfortably clearing the penalty floor.
- Washington: Single-year APR 993 and multiyear APR 992, well above the national average.
- Florida: Overall average APR 984; gymnastics and lacrosse earned perfect 1,000 scores; football posted 988.
- New Mexico: Department-wide APR 993, with four sports achieving perfect four-year rates.
- Creighton: Multiyear APR rose to the national average of 986; seven teams earned perfect scores, tying Nebraska for the most in the state.
- UCLA: Multiyear average 989 for 23 teams; five programs in the top-10 percent; 14 teams earned perfect single-year scores.
- Richmond: All 16 programs scored 975 or higher; seven achieved perfect 1,000 scores.
- Houston: Institutional APR record 992, with three sports posting perfect 1,000 scores.
- South Carolina: Multiyear scores of 950 or higher for all 18 sports; nine perfect single-year scores; departmental GPA 3.51.
Official Statements & Responses
University of Washington’s athletics director highlighted the sustained high APR as evidence of a culture that values academic achievement. The University of New Mexico’s vice president of athletics emphasized the department’s “championship mindset” in both classroom and competition. South Carolina’s senior associate director for academics linked the APR performance to focused student-athlete determination and robust departmental resources. The NCAA noted the upward trend in the national average, underscoring the metric’s role in promoting academic accountability.
Verbatim Quotes
> “We're proud to see Washington student-athletes continue to perform at a high level in the APR metric,” — Pat Chun, Director of Athletics, Washington
> “Our student-athletes and coaching staff have a championship mindset whether on the field or in the classroom,” — Ryan Berryman, Vice President/Director of Athletics, New Mexico
> “Our APR performance reflects the focus and determination of our student-athletes, along with the resources our department provides to help them succeed,” — Charlie Ball, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Academics, South Carolina
> “The NCAA said the national multiyear average for Division I programs rose two points to 986 through 2024-25.” — NCAA
Implications for Postseason Eligibility
All highlighted programs exceed the 930 benchmark, securing eligibility for upcoming championship tournaments. The rising national average suggests broader academic improvement, yet the APR remains a gatekeeper; programs falling below 930 could face scholarship reductions or postseason bans.
What’s Next
The NCAA will release the next APR cycle covering 2022-23 through 2025-26 in the spring of 2027, allowing institutions to track progress and address any shortfalls before the 2027-28 postseason window.
