Syracuse University athletics scored an 84 in the NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR), eight percentage points above the Division I GSR of 76 percent. The number represents the 1998-99 cohort, which includes student-athletes who enrolled at the University between 1995 and 1998. The GSR is a new NCAA measurement that improves 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.
The Orange football program's GSR of 75 is 11 percent above the Division I rate of 64, while the men's basketball program's rate of 75 is 17 percent better than the Division I rate of 58 percent. In women's basketball, SU's GSR is 93, compared to the overall Division I rate of 81. Five SU women's programs, including cross country/track & field, field hockey, soccer, softball and volleyball, boasted a 100 percent GSR. Overall seven of SU's eight sports included in the report had a higher GSR than the average Division I rate in that sport, while eight women's programs had better GSR rates than the Division I average.