UCF has best NCAA graduation rate among public institutions

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University of Central Florida athletes are graduating at a higher rate than any other NCAA Division 1 public institution in the nation.

University of Central Florida athletes are graduating at a higher rate than any other NCAA Division 1 public institution in the nation, according to data released by the NCAA on Tuesday.

The data shows UCF has a graduation success rate of 95 percent. When compared with both public and private institutions, UCF ties with Boston College for fifth-best in the NCAA Division 1, trailing only Notre Dame, Stanford, Duke and Northwestern.

Thirteen of UCF's 14 programs are above the national average. Seven Knights programs – men's golf, men's tennis, rowing, women's golf, women's soccer, women's tennis and volleyball – had perfect scores of 100 percent, according to release from the school.

"I'm incredibly proud of our everyday champion student-athletes, our coaches and the culture of academic excellence they've created here at UCF," said UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics Todd Stansbury. "This is obviously the result of a lot of hard work and a great support system. When you look at the institutions around us in the rankings, that's a great neighborhood to live in."

Within the state of Florida, UCF is tops among all NCAA Division I institutions. Florida State ranks second at 84 percent, while the University of Florida and the University of South Florida are both at 83 percent.

In the American Athletic Conference, UCF's overall rate also is the top mark.