LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell has earned a Division I Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 93% for 2020, according to an announcement made by the NCAA on Wednesday. This GSR is based on the six-year results of the 2013-14 freshman class.
 
"A huge part of our efforts in providing our student-athletes with the best possible experience is to cultivate an environment in which they can thrive academically and complete their degree," said UMass Lowell Director of Athletics Peter Casey. "We are so proud of our River Hawks for their commitment to graduating and for achieving a GSR above 90% for the fourth consecutive year. I also commend our academic support staff for all the wonderful work they do to help our student-athletes succeed."
 
The GSR calculates graduation rates for a Division I athletic department's first-time freshmen, mid-year entrants, as well as transfer student-athletes who received athletics aid. The GSR subtracts students from the entering cohort who are considered allowable exclusions and those who left the institution prior to graduation, if they had athletics eligibility remaining and would have been academically eligible to compete had they returned to the institution.

"This data is reflective of our commitment to the term 'student-athlete' and the hard work our River Hawk student-athletes put into their academic work every day," commented Alison Quandt Westgate, Associate Athletic Director for Academics & Student Services.
 
Since completing its Division I transition, UMass Lowell has submitted to the DI GSR for the last four years, and has maintained or exceeded the 90% benchmark in each of those years.
 
Across the country, nine out of 10 Division I student-athletes (90%) who started college in 2013 earned degrees. That represents the highest national GSR ever and an overall increase of one percentage point over the rate for students who entered school in 2012.
 
For the 2013-2020 cohort, UMass Lowell ranks fourth overall in GSR among the America East Conference institutions. Men's basketball, hockey, men's lacrosse, women's basketball, and women's cross country and track & field all earned a perfect 100% GSR to lead the River Hawks.