LOUISVILLE, Ky. — University of Louisville (UofL) and University of Kentucky (UK) student-athletes broke and tied their department-record graduation success rates (GSR), respectively, in the latest report released by the NCAA. 

Louisville’s 93% GSR beats the school’s previous best mark of 92%, a mark they achieved last year. In the previous two years before that, the school recorded 91%.

The Wildcats recorded a 92% GSR, tying the record set in each of the past three years. UK's GSR is one point above the Division I national average of 91%.  

Student-athletes who are on scholarship their first semester of enrollment are included in the GSR, a statistic the NCAA began tracking in 2005. Athletes who transfer or depart for the professional ranks in good academic standing do not count against a school's GSR, and schools can also include incoming transfers and January enrollees who subsequently graduate. 

Louisville's most recent report accounts for freshmen who entered in the 2016-17 academic year. Its GSR has risen by nearly 30% since reporting began 19 years ago.

UofL had 17 programs achieve a GSR of 90 or higher in Wednesday’s report, while seven programs — men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s golf, women’s golf, field hockey, women’s soccer and volleyball — recorded a perfect 100 mark.

All Louisville student-athletes combined to produce an average GPA of 3.0 or better for the 25th straight semester in spring 2023, with a 3.327 collective GPA.

The Cardinals placed 404 student-athletes on the ACC 2022-23 Academic Honor Roll for those who participated in a varsity-level sport and registered a GPA of 3.0 or better for the full academic year. Louisville was one of six schools with over 400 student-athletes earning recognition.

UK's first GSR score was 68 in 2005. The school has broken or tied the mark every year since. 

“Graduation is a foundational goal of the student-athlete experience.  We’re proud to match our record in that area and are striving for even greater heights in the future,” UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “Obviously, it takes years-long commitment by our student-athletes, and I’m also appreciative of our coaches and the CATS (Center for Academic and Tutorial Services) staff for their support along the way.”

Overall, 111 UofL student-athletes received their degrees in the 2022-23 school year, including 96 graduates during the spring semester.

The Wildcats set a school record with 167 student-athletes receiving diplomas or certifications last academic year. The department has also surpassed its goal of a 3.0 GPA in 22 straight semesters.