NE10 Raises the Bar for ASR Excellence in Division II.
Bentley Ranks First for Fourth-Straight Year; Saint Michael's Also in Top 10.
MANSFIELD, Mass. - Northeast-10 Conference student-athletes are graduating at unprecedented levels in NCAA Division II, setting a record percentage in the Division for the second-straight year as the annual Academic Success Rate (ASR) data was released on Tuesday.
The NE10 hit a new personal high-mark of 89% in the most recent four-year compilation of graduation rates, which is not only the best rate among all Division II conferences, but the highest ASR of any conference since the four-year calculation began 12 years ago. It far exceeds the national average of 74%.
In 2019, the NE10 achieved 88%, which was a league-best and Division II record at the time.
The NCAA annually releases the Division II ASR, a model developed 16 years ago at the request of presidents of Division II institutions to overcome inadequacies with the Federal Graduation Rate (FGR). The FGR only takes into account student-athletes that receive athletically related aid, leaving large numbers of DII student-athletes out of the calculation. Because of Division II's partial scholarship financial aid model, the ASR was created to include non-scholarship student-athletes who enrolled from 2010 through 2013, the four years covered in the most recent data.
Overall, the NE10 membership produced a total of 5,085 graduates among 5,745 student-athletes who enrolled during the four period of 2010-13. The numbers are based on the Conference's 2020-21 membership, which includes 14 institutions – 12 of which recorded a single year ASR of 80 or better.
"We are thrilled to be recognized for once again achieving the highest-ever ASR percentage in Division II," said Julie Ruppert, NE10 Commissioner. "This metric tells the story that over 5,000 students on our NE10 campuses attained the ultimate goal as an undergraduate… they earned their degree. This success is a direct result of our institutions' collective, strong and ongoing commitment to provide our student-athletes with exceptional educational opportunities, guide them through their time on campus and prepare them to serve as engaged citizens and leaders upon their graduation."
It is the fourth-straight year that the NE10 has ranked first or tied for first among all Division II conferences – and the seventh time in the last eight years overall. When examining the single year ASR for its members, the league had six schools ranks in the top 25, eight in the top 50 and 12 in the top 100.
Bentley led all 300-plus Division II institutions in ASR for a remarkable fourth-straight year, achieving a 99% single-year rate for the third-consecutive time. It is the seventh-straight year the Falcons have posted a 97% rate or better and the 10th-consecutive above 90.
Saint Michael's joined Bentley in the top 10 with a 98% rate, tied for second among all Division II institutions. It is the seventh top-two finish for the Purple Knights since 2009. Among top 25 institutions this year, Stonehill was tied for 18th with a 92% clip, while Adelphi, Assumption and Le Moyne tied for 22nd at 91%.
Bentley and Saint Michael's each had 15 programs achieve a 100% ASR (cross country and track & field are considered one sport), the highest total among all NE10 institutions. Stonehill and Southern New Hampshire both had seven programs hit the 100% mark.
In addition to having two of the top three schools in ASR, the NE10 had nine of its schools improve upon their percentage from a year ago – including Saint Anselm and Southern Connecticut, who are leading the charge with three-point increases.
In total, NE10 institutions recorded 80 programs with a perfect ASR – accounting for roughly one-third of all programs in the conference. The NE10 had 23 of its 24 sponsored sports achieve an ASR of 80% or better, as well as 14 of them tally an impressive 90% or higher. Women's basketball led the charge, as 10 of 14 programs finished with a perfect ASR.
Women's tennis (9) and volleyball (9) followed after women's basketball with perfect ASR percentages at the institutional level. Men's golf had five 100% ASR programs, the most among men's sports, with men's basketball close behind (4).
Overall sport leaders in the NE10 were women's swimming & diving and women's tennis, both recording a 98% ASR. Close behind were field hockey (97%) and women's lacrosse (97%), while ice hockey led all men's programs (93%).
For more searchable data on the academic success rates for NE10 institutions, click HERE.
| ASR Ranking by NCAA Division II Conference | |
| Northeast-10 Conference | 89% |
| Sunshine State Conference | 86% |
| Great Lakes Valley Conference | 83% |
| Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference | 82% |
| Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference | 81% |
| East Coast Conference | 80% |
| Great Midwest Athletic Conference | 79% |
| Great Northwest Athletic Conference | 79% |
| Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference | 79% |
| Pacific West Conference | 79% |
| Conference Carolinas | 75% |
| Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conf. | 75% |
| Peach Belt Conference | 73% |
| California Collegiate Athletic Association | 72% |
| South Atlantic Conference | 70% |
| Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference | 69% |
| Gulf South Conference | 68% |
| Lone Star Conference | 67% |
| Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Assoc. | 67% |
| Mountain East Conference | 66% |
| Independent | 66% |
| Great American Conference | 65% |
| Central Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc. | 62% |
| Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conf. | 58% |
ABOUT THE NE10
Beginning its 40th anniversary season, the NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.