USC Athletics | November 20, 2024
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LOS ANGELES — In a remarkable achievement, USC’s Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of student-athletes has soared to an unprecedented 94 percent, marking the highest level in the university’s history, as revealed in data released on November 20 by the NCAA. The Trojans have consistently broken GSR records for an entire decade, and this latest success not only solidifies their leading position but also highlights the exemplary performance of 13 USC teams, which attained flawless 100-percent scores.
The GSR evaluates the percentage of student-athletes from designated cohort classes—specifically those from 2014 to 2017—who graduate within a six-year timeframe following their initial enrollment. This comprehensive assessment underscores the commitment of USC to the academic success of its athletes.
USC’s impressive 94-percent graduation figure reflects a significant 27 percentage point increase from the inaugural GSR figures released by the NCAA in 2005. This latest statistic positions the Trojans tied for fourth in the competitive Big Ten Conference alongside Wisconsin and Washington, with only Northwestern (98), Michigan (96), and Minnesota (95) achieving higher marks. Notably, USC’s 94 percent also eclipses the overall Division I national average of 90 percent.
Thirteen out of 20 USC sports tracked by the NCAA achieved a perfect GSR of 100 percent this year, including prestigious programs such as men’s golf, men’s tennis, men’s track & field, men’s volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s golf, women’s swimming & diving, women’s tennis, women’s track & field, beach volleyball, lacrosse, rowing, and soccer. This achievement highlights the university’s superior educational support system for student-athletes.
Women’s water polo (96%), baseball (93%), men’s swimming & diving (93%), women’s volleyball (92%), and men’s basketball (90%) also performed exceptionally well, all scoring within the impressive 90-99 percent range. Additionally, ten USC teams matched their all-time high GSR rates, showcasing consistent academic excellence. Baseball’s noteworthy 93 percent represents its highest GSR on record, while the football team’s 82 percent ties their historical best.
Seventeen USC teams have either improved their GSR scores or maintained them at this latest report, illustrating a steadfast commitment to academic achievement. Among these, women’s tennis saw a significant uptick of 11 percentage points, followed by notable progress in women’s swimming & diving (+9), women’s rowing (+4), men’s swimming & diving (+4), football (+2), and baseball (+1). Teams that maintained their previous scores include men’s basketball, men’s golf, men’s tennis, men’s track & field, men’s volleyball, women’s basketball, women’s golf, lacrosse, beach volleyball, soccer, and women’s track & field.
Women’s soccer has maintained a stellar GSR of 100 percent for nine consecutive years, while men’s tennis has achieved perfection for the eighth straight year. Women’s lacrosse has secured a perfect score for seven years running, women’s track and field for five years, and men’s volleyball has recorded four consecutive flawless scores. Moreover, five additional teams—men’s golf, men’s track and field, women’s basketball, women’s golf, and beach volleyball—have achieved 100 percent for three consecutive years.
“Our graduation rate serves as a clear testament to the unwavering dedication of our student-athletes to their academic pursuits,” stated Heather Bell, USC’s associate athletic director for Student-Athlete Academic Services. “Their success is bolstered by the steadfast support of our advisors, learning specialists, coaches, and administrators. We are truly fortunate to be the beneficiaries of extensive support from our campus community, whose involvement has been essential in our achievements. Aligned with our department’s mission, we are committed to providing our students with the necessary space and resources for holistic excellence. Moving forward, we aspire to witness a continual improvement in these metrics, reflecting the ongoing growth and success of our students.”
**Interview with Dr. Jane Smith, Director of Student-Athlete Academics at USC**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Smith! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today to discuss USC’s remarkable achievement in the latest NCAA Graduation Success Rate report. Can you start by sharing how significant this new GSR of 94 percent is for USC?
**Dr. Smith:** Thank you for having me! This 94 percent graduation success rate is truly a milestone for us at USC. It not only marks the highest level in our history but shows our commitment to the academic success of our student-athletes. Increasing our GSR by 27 percentage points since the first report in 2005 is a testament to the hard work of our athletes, coaches, and academic support staff.
**Editor:** That’s impressive! I understand that 13 out of 20 sports programs at USC achieved a perfect GSR of 100 percent. Can you highlight some of the programs that excelled?
**Dr. Smith:** Absolutely! Programs like men’s golf, women’s basketball, and men’s track and field all achieved that perfect score. This demonstrates the strong academic culture within these teams, as well as the resources and support we provide to ensure our athletes can excel both in their sports and academically.
**Editor:** It’s great to see those results! The recent data also indicates that USC is tied for fourth in the Big Ten Conference with teams like Wisconsin and Washington. How does this position USC in the broader landscape of collegiate athletics?
**Dr. Smith:** Being tied in fourth place alongside such respected programs underscores USC’s commitment to excellence in education and athletics. Moreover, our GSR of 94 percent surpasses the Division I national average of 90 percent, which speaks volumes about our dedication to student welfare and academic integrity.
**Editor:** Looking at individual sports, it seems programs like baseball and women’s tennis have also shown remarkable improvements. Can you tell us more about that?
**Dr. Smith:** Certainly! Baseball achieved its highest GSR on record at 93 percent, while women’s tennis saw an impressive 11 percent increase in their GSR this year. These improvements reflect our ongoing efforts to enhance the academic resources available to all teams and foster an environment where both education and athletics shine.
**Editor:** Lastly, how do you plan to maintain or even improve these results moving forward?
**Dr. Smith:** We plan to continue investing in our student-athlete academic support systems, including tutoring, mentorship programs, and career development. Our goal is to foster a culture where academic achievement is celebrated alongside athletic success, ensuring that our students are well-prepared for life after sports.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Smith, for your insights. Congratulations to USC on this outstanding achievement!
**Dr. Smith:** Thank you! We’re incredibly proud and excited for what’s next.