Student-athletes at Temple University have been succeeding where it matters the most—in earning their degrees.  

Data released this week by the NCAA revealed that Temple University ranks for the first time among the top 25 institutions as measured by graduation success rate for student-athletes. Owls posted an 88 percent graduation success rate—a school record for the seventh consecutive year, with a three percentage point gain over the previous year’s record.

There were only eight higher scores, achieved by 23 institutions, than Temple's rate. Six Owls sports—women’s fencing, men’s golf, women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, men’s tennis and women’s tennis—earned a perfect 100 percent, while seven teams earned all-time highs for their respective programs.

“We are so proud of our student-athletes, coaches and academic support staff for this tremendous accomplishment,” said Temple University Director of Athletics Patrick Kraft. “Winning on the playing field is important, but success in the classroom and the earning of degrees lasts a lifetime. Justin Miller and his talented staff at the Nancy & Donald Resnick Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes have supported our students with integrity and we are grateful for their efforts, though the true recognition and appreciation is for our students whose diligence and commitment led to incredible results.”

Temple also posted its highest NCAA federal graduation rate since 2010—71 percent. The student-athlete graduation success rate mirrors that of the university as a whole. In recent rankings by U.S.News & World Report, Temple ranked No. 20 in “graduation rate performance” among national universities in the top 125.

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