Chapel Hill Review

The University of North Carolina (UNC) student-athletes have achieved their highest-ever multi-year graduation rates for the fifth consecutive year, as reported in the NCAA's annual Graduation Success Rates (GSR). The GSR for incoming classes from 2014-15 to 2017-18 reached a record 93%, an increase of one percent from the previous year. The single-year rate also set a new record at 96%.

The NCAA's GSR measures graduation rates over a six-year period. It considers student-athletes who were on scholarship during their first year and either graduate from their university or leave the program while maintaining good academic standing.

The latest data covers incoming classes from 2014-15 through 2017-18. Twenty-two UNC teams met or exceeded national averages for their respective sports. Thirteen teams recorded perfect multi-year GSRs of 100%, which is two more than last year. These teams include women's basketball, men's and women's fencing, men's golf, gymnastics, women's lacrosse, rowing, women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, women's tennis, and volleyball.

Five additional sports achieved GSRs of at least 90%, including baseball and field hockey. Nine other programs surpassed an 80% rate; these include football and men's basketball.

Baseball reached its highest rate since 2013 with a GSR of 91%, while softball hit 100% for the first time since 2008. Football and wrestling both set program-best rates with scores of 81% and 82%, respectively.

Notably, the gymnastics team maintained its perfect streak with a GSR of 100% for the twentieth time in twenty years. Other long-standing perfect records include women's swimming and diving (16 consecutive years), women's fencing (15), volleyball (14), women's lacrosse (eight), women's tennis (six), along with five years each for women’s basketball and men’s golf.