SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Bryant University student-athletes continue to distinguish themselves in the classroom, graduating at rates well above their conference and national peers, according to information released by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The annual report, issued by the NCAA, revealed a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 96 percent, compared to a national average of 90 percent for all Division I institutions. 

Bryant's 96 percent graduation rate marks the fourth straight year the department has reached the mark. Bryant has been above the national average every year since moving to Division I.

Of Bryant's 21 varsity sports (cross country and track and field are considered one sport in GSR), 11 achieved perfect 100 GSR scores. Nine America East sponsored sports achieved a perfect 100, more than any other program in the America East. The teams that achieved perfect scores are baseball, men's soccer, men's tennis, men's cross country/track & field, women's basketball, women's lacrosse, softball, women's soccer, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis and women's volleyball.

Bryant highlights from the NCAA report

• Bryant achieved an overall GSR of 96 percent, six points above the national average of 90.
• 11 Bryant teams achieved a perfect GSR of 100: baseball, men's soccer, men's tennis, men's cross country/track & field, women's basketball, women's lacrosse, softball, women's soccer, women's swimming and diving, women's tennis and women's volleyball.
• Four Bryant teams achieved a GSR that was at least 10 points above the national average for their sport (football +13, baseball +10, men's cross country/track and field +16, men's soccer +11).
• Bryant's football program posted a GSR of 91, 26th among Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools.
• Baseball has posted a perfect GSR of 100 each of the last five years. 
• Men's Cross Country/Track & Field has posted a perfect GSR of 100 each of the last 11 years.
• Women's Volleyball joins MXCTF with a perfect GSR each of the last 11 years.
• Women's Soccer has accomplished a GSR of 100 each of the last nine years.
• Women's Basketball has posted a perfect GSR of 100 each of the last eight years.

The Division I Board of Directors created the GSR in response to Division I college and university presidents who wanted data that more accurately reflected the mobility of college students than the federal graduation rate. The federal rate counts any student who leaves a school as an academic failure, no matter whether he or she enrolls at another school. Also, 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 makes it a more complete and accurate look at student-athlete success. The federal graduation rate, however, remains the only measure to compare student-athletes with the general student body.