Oct. 27, 2004
For the fifth time in the Big 12 Conference's nine-year history, Baylor University has posted the highest student-athlete graduation rate of any league institution, according to figures released Monday by the NCAA.
The Bears' most-recent graduation rates, for the freshman class of 1997-98, is 78 percent, a school record by 4 points over the previous high of 74 percent in 2000. That figure is also 8 points higher than Baylor's general student population and 16 points better than the NCAA Division I national average of 62 percent.
"These outstanding graduation rates are a credit to our student-athletes who exhibit dedication and a strong work ethic in their academic endeavors," said Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. "We are fortunate that our head coaches and academic support staff are deeply committed to the academic success of our student-athletes."
Baylor also graduated a Big 12-best 76 percent of its male student-athletes and a league-high 82 percent of its female student-athletes. Five Baylor programs recorded 100 percent graduation rates and another five teams recorded a mark of at least 75 percent for the survey period. The Baylor football program produced a Big 12-leading 88 percent graduation rate, marking the fifth time in the league's history it has set the standard for classroom excellence.
The NCAA graduation-rates study has tracked entering classes of student-athletes annually since 1991. The study is a product of the Student Right To Know Act, a federal law that requires institutions to provide graduation-rate data to prospective student-athletes, parents, high-school coaches and counselors as part of the recruiting process. The percentage is derived from the number of freshmen on athletic aid in the 1997-98 school year who earned their degree in six years.
In addition to leading the Big 12 in graduation rates five times, Baylor ranked second on three other occasions. All-told, 88 percent of Baylor student-athletes who exhausted their eligibility and entered school from 1988-89 through 1997-98 have left with degree in hand according to the NCAA study.
2004 BIG 12/NCAA 1997-1998 GRADUATION RATES
| SCHOOL | AS | SA | M | F | FB |
| % | % | % | % | % |
| Division 1 | |
| National Average | 60 | 62 | 55 | 70 | 55 | |
| Baylor | 70 | 78 (1)** | 76 (1)** | 82 (1)** | 88 (1)** |
| Colorado | 68 | 48 | 46 | 52 | 44 | |
| Iowa State | 66 | 56 | 46 | 69 | 57 | |
| Kansas | 58 | 63 | 44 | 79 | 47 | |
| Kansas State | 56 | 61 | 55 | 72 | 64 | |
| Missouri | 66 | 58 | 50 | 70 | 53 | |
| Nebraska | 59 | 58 | 59 | 57 | 72 | |
| Oklahoma | 54 | 55 | 42 | 68 | 43 | |
| Oklahoma State | 58 | 60 | 56 | 68 | 87 | |
| Texas | 71 | 52 | 40 | 74 | 27 | |
| Texas A & M | 75 | 60 | 49 | 73 | 50 | |
| Texas Tech | 54 | 56 | 47 | 71 | 59 | |
|
Note: ** ( ) Rank in the Big 12; AS-All Students; SA-Student-Athletes; M-Male Student-Athletes; F-Female Student-Athletes.
Source: 2004 NCAA Annual Report, Oct. 25, 2004.
