LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell has earned a Division I Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 93%, according to an announcement made by the NCAA on Thursday. This GSR is based on the 2014-15, 2013-14, 2012-13 and 2011-12 freshman classes, and gives each class a maximum of six years to graduate at UMass Lowell.
 
"Excelling in the classroom and completing a degree while being a Division I athlete is no easy feat, but our River Hawks continue to thrive in both areas year after year," said Director of Athletics Peter Casey. "I am extremely proud of their continued dedication to their academic pursuits, and I thank our coaches and academic support staff for creating an environment in which our student-athletes can continue to grow and develop."
 
The GSR calculates graduation rates for a Division I athletic department's first-time freshmen and 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.
 
"We pride ourselves on developing complete student-athletes," commented Alison Quandt Westgate, Associate Athletic Director for Academics & Student Services. "We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes for the work they put into their academics." 
 
UMass Lowell has maintained or exceeded the 90% GSR benchmark for the last seven consecutive years, including the last five since completing its Division I transition.
 
Overall across the NCAA, Division I student-athlete graduation rates and all subgroup rates are at or near their highest-ever levels.
 
For the 2011-2014 cohorts, UMass Lowell ranks fourth overall in GSR among the 10 America East Conference institutions. Men's basketball, women's basketball, hockey, field hockey, women's lacrosse, and women's cross country and track & field all earned a perfect 100% GSR to lead the River Hawks.