Oct. 8, 2002

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A recent NCAA report on graduation rates shows Western Washington University student-athletes graduating at a rate higher than student-athletes at most other schools, sometimes much higher. They also are better in graduation rates than their Western peers.

The 2002 NCAA findings show 72 percent of Viking student-athletes receive their degrees in six years or less. That was 19 percentage points higher than the average for student-athletes in the 10-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference (53%), 22 points higher than the national average for schools in NCAA Division II (50%), of which Western is a member; 12 points higher than the national NCAA I average (60%), and 22 points higher than the NCAA III average (50%).

Within Washington, Western student-athletes graduated at the highest rate of any public institution, 27 points above Eastern Washington (45%), 13 points above Central Washington (59%), 10 points above Washington State (62%) and five points better than the University of Washington (67%).

Western student-athletes also scored 11 points higher on graduation rates than the Western student body in general (72 to 61%). This compares favorably with national averages for Division II schools, where student-athletes edged students in general, 50 to 45 percent.

The 2002 NCAA Graduation Rate Reports are based on student-athletes who entered universities during the 1995-96 academic year and graduated in six years or less. Student-athletes are defined as those "who received athletics aid" such as grants, scholarships, tuition waivers or other assistance from the institution upon initial enrollment.

Western's four-class (student-athletes entering 1992-96) graduation rate of 71 percent is 17 points better than the GNAC average (54%). It is 21 points better than the Division II average (50%), and 12 points better than the Division I average (59%).

Western's four-class graduation rate is also higher than any other public institution in Washington, 22 points better than Eastern Washington (59%), 14 points better than Central Washington (57%), 13 points better than Washington State (56%), and five points better than the University of Washington (66%).

Western's four-class graduation rate is eight points better than that of the Western student body in general (63%). Students in general at Division II schools have an average graduation rate of 43 percent and at Division I schools the average graduation rate is 57 percent.

Last year, Western won the inaugural GNAC all-sports championship, winning titles in football, volleyball and men's and women's basketball. The Vikings placed second at the NCAA II National Women's Crew Championship, made national appearances in women's basketball and volleyball, and narrowly missed trips to nationals in football, men's basketball and women's golf.