AMES, Iowa – Iowa State student-athletes continue to demonstrate excellence in the classroom, establishing program records for both multi-year (989) and one-year (992) institutional Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, according to data released today by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The multi-year rate is calculated based upon the 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years, while the one-year score was generated from the 2022-23 academic year.
“The APR data continues to demonstrate the commitment by our coaches and student-athletes to make academics a priority,” said ISU Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services Amber Giese. “We are grateful for the important role that Iowa State’s faculty and staff play in supporting the academic success of our student-athletes, too.”
ISU’s multi-year institutional APR average of 989, which was a two-point improvement over its 2021-22 mark, ranked third in the Big 12 behind only Texas and West Virginia, both of whom registered 992 scores. Iowa State’s multi-year average was also five points higher than the NCAA Division I average of 984 and marked the eighth-straight year its multi-year APR score either set or matched a new school-record.
Baylor (985), Kansas (985), Kansas State (983), Oklahoma State (983), Texas Tech (983), TCU (983) and Oklahoma (977) rounded out the Big 12 rankings, which were compiled based upon the league’s membership during the 2022-23 academic year when the data was compiled for.
Three Cyclone programs led the Big 12 Conference in multi-year rates—men’s golf (1,000; sixth-consecutive perfect multi-year score), women’s basketball (995) and men’s track & field (987).
Seven Iowa State teams registered perfect single-year scores – men’s basketball, men’s cross country, men’s golf, women’s basketball, women’s golf, women’s gymnastics and women’s tennis. All-told, 11 of ISU’s 16 teams either improved or matched their APR from a year ago and 14 programs rank at or above the national average in their respective sport.
The four-year Academic Progress Rate national average for Division I teams remained steady at 984 this year, as the division marked the 20th anniversary of APR data collection. During those 20 years, overall student-athlete academic success has risen substantially.