CONWAY, Ark.- For the seventh straight year, Central Arkansas Athletics has achieved an all-time high in the NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR), posting a 90% multiyear GSR in the 2024–25 data released by the NCAA.
The Bears' 90% GSR equals last year's record-setting mark and continues a remarkable upward trend in academic achievement. Central Arkansas has increased or matched its multiyear GSR every year since 2018–19. Prior to 2016–17, UCA had never surpassed an 80% GSR, and before 2021–22, the program had never reached a single-year GSR of 90%.
UCA also continues to lead all Arkansas universities, posting the highest GSR and Federal Graduation rate (65%) among Division I institutions in the state.
In addition to the department's record performance, 9 of Central Arkansas's 13 programs posted GSRs at or above their respective national averages. Leading the way are five programs; men's basketball, volleyball, softball, men's golf, and beach volleyball all of which achieved a perfect 100% GSR.
Matt Whiting, UCA Director of Athletics,
"While the wins in competition are always moments that we treasure, the lasting legacy of our student-athletes is that of earning and completing their college degree. I am proud of the hard work of our student-athletes and deeply appreciative of our coaches, staff, athletic academic advising team, and faculty for their dedicated efforts in achieving these marks that we all take great pride in."
The NCAA Graduation Success Rate measures how successfully athletics programs graduate their student-athletes within a six-year period. Unlike the Federal Graduation Rate, which only includes first-time, full-time freshmen, the GSR also counts transfer students and mid-year enrollees, and removes those who leave an institution in good academic standing before exhausting eligibility. This provides a more complete and accurate picture of student-athlete academic success.
The most recent GSR cohort includes student-athletes who enrolled at Central Arkansas from 2015-2018.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS NCAA GRADUATION SUCCESS RATES BY SPORT (2024–25)
| Sport |
UCA |
National Average |
| Men's Basketball |
100% |
85% |
|
| Volleyball |
100% |
95% |
|
| Softball |
100% |
94% |
|
| Men's Golf |
100% |
93% |
|
| Beach Volleyball |
100% |
98% |
|
| Women's Soccer |
95% |
96% |
|
| Women's Basketball |
94% |
92% |
|
| Women's CC / T&F |
94% |
92% |
|
| Baseball |
92% |
90% |
|
| Football |
84% |
81% |
|
| Women's Golf |
83% |
96% |
|
| Men's CC / T&F |
79% |
84% |
|
| Men's Soccer |
79% |
89% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: For NCAA reporting purposes, cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field are combined as one sport.
