BALTIMORE, Md. (Nov. 26, 2024) — Morgan State University's 2023-24 Graduation Success Rate of MSU student-athletes recorded an overall department GSR high of 79 percent, according to data released by the NCAA.

MSU's 79-percent four-year figure is 17 percentage points higher than it was when the NCAA first released GSR numbers in November 2005.

Figures released on Wednesday reflect information about the most recent 6-year graduating class of student-athletes who entered as freshmen in 2017-18, and the NCAA has tracked GSR for more than two decades with student-athletes surpassing the original benchmark of 80 percent with long-term graduation rate increases being observed yearly from an overall 74 percent in 2002.

The Graduation Success Rate measures graduation rates for student-athletes by team. The GSR considers student-athletes on scholarship in their first year and who graduate from their respective institutions or leave their programs, via transfer to other institutions or for professional opportunities, while in good academic standing.

In 2023, the athletic teams at Morgan State showcased remarkable progress, achieving their highest scores in years. The football team, in particular, celebrated a notable increase of three percentage points in their academic performance metrics, reflecting a solid commitment to both athletic excellence and academic integrity. This improvement underscores the dedication of the coaching staff and student-athletes alike to fostering an environment where both sports and academics are prioritized.

Similarly, the volleyball program also reached an impressive milestone, boasting a perfect GSR of 100. This extraordinary achievement highlights the team's commitment to ensuring that its student-athletes not only excel on the court but also graduate and succeed academically beyond their time at MSU. 

Collectively, these advancements signify a positive trend in MSU's athletic programs, reinforcing the university's mission to cultivate well-rounded individuals who excel in both their sports and their academic pursuits. 

This is the 33rd annual release of institutional graduation rates since national "right-to-know" legislation was passed in 1990. In 2005, the NCAA Division I Committee on Academic Performance implemented the initial release of the team GSR data.

The GSR is the NCAA's more inclusive calculation of academic success among scholarship student-athletes. The NCAA rate is more accurate than the federally mandated methodology because it includes traditional freshmet, incoming transfers and students enrolling in the spring semester who receive athletic aid in their initial year of enrollment and graduate, and removes from the calculation student-athletes who leave an institution and were academically eligible to compete. The federal rate does neither.