Oct. 26, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS (NCAA/SMU) - Four SMU teams rated a perfect 100 percent and all SMU programs were equal to or better than the national average in the latest round of NCAA Graduation Success Rates, according to data released this week by the organization. Among the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision institutions, SMU ranked 24th nationally with an 85, tied with seven other schools.

Programs that scored 100 percent were men's and women's tennis, women's soccer and women's track. In addition, all 15 of SMU's programs rated by the NCAA were equal to or better than the national average. While SMU sponsors 17 sports, the NCAA issues 15 GSRs, combining indoor and outdoor track and cross country.

The GSR is a different measure than the graduation rate previously used by the NCAA. The GSR is an NCAA measurement that improves on the federally-mandated graduation-rate by including transfer data in the calculation. It was developed in response to college and university presidents who wanted graduation data that more accurately reflect the mobility among students in today's higher education climate. It does not count against an institution whose student-athletes enroll and then leave while eligible, but does give credit for those who transfer into the institution and ultimately earn a degree.

The data is from the four-class aggregate of entering classes from 2002 through 2005, for which the NCAA has compiled sport-by-sport GSR and the comparable graduation rate using the federally mandated methodology.

Rates for all schools can be found here.