Oct. 26, 2004

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 2004 NCAA findings show 71 percent of Viking student-athletes receive their degrees in six years or less. That was 18 percentage points higher than the average for student-athletes in the 10-team Great Northwest Athletic Conference (53%), 18 points higher than the national average for schools in NCAA Division II (53%), of which Western is a member; and nine points higher than the national NCAA I average (62%).

Within Washington, Western student-athletes graduated at the second-highest rate of any public institution, 28 points above Eastern Washington (43%), 13 points above Washington State (58%), three points better than the University of Washington (68%) and three points behind Central Washington (74%).

Western student-athletes also scored nine points higher on graduation rates than the Western student body in general (71 to 62%). This compares favorably with national averages for Division II schools, where student-athletes edged students in general, 53 to 46 percent.

The 2004 NCAA Graduation Rate Reports are based on student-athletes who entered universities during the 1997-98 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 1994-97) graduation rate of 68 percent is 15 points better than the GNAC average (53%). It is 11 points better than the Division II average (57%), and eight points better than the Division I average (60%).

Western's four-class graduation rate is equal or better than any other public institution in Washington, 22 points better than Eastern Washington (50%), seven points better than Central Washington (61%), six points better than Washington State (62%), and even with the University of Washington (68%).

Western's four-class graduation rate is six points better than that of the Western student body in general (62%). Students in general at Division II schools have an average graduation rate of 44 percent and at Division I schools the average graduation rate is 60 percent.

Last year, Western won the GNAC all-sports championship for the third straight year, winning league titles in football, volleyball and men's cross country. The Vikings placed third nationally in women's rowing, fifth in women's golf, ninth in men's golf and 13th in men's cross country; and made national appearances in women's basketball and volleyball. Thirteen Western student-athletes earned All-America recognition.