Five years running: GCSU named No. 1 in nation for academic success rate among DII public schools

By Michael MacEachern

T he Georgia College & State University Department of Athletics is ranked first among all NCAA Division II public institutions in the nation in academic success rate, having recently earned this distinction in 2025 for the fifth consecutive year.

"Year after year, our leading academic success rate among NCAA DII public institutions demonstrates the solid commitment we have to student success," said Cathy Cox, president of GCSU. "It's so much more than a focus by our athletics staff here. It is a commitment by all of our faculty and staff to support our students in their trajectory toward graduation and lifetime success. I'm grateful to them and incredibly excited for what this means to our student athletes."

Georgia College posted a 93% academic success rate, which is a metric used by the NCAA to measure the number of scholar-athletes who graduate within six years of college enrollment. The Bobcats ranked 11th overall among both public and private DII institutions, topped the Peach Belt Conference in this category and placed second in the Southeast region.

Academic success rate includes incoming transfer students but removes those who transferred out of the university. The rate also includes over 30,000 non-scholarship students who were enrolled during the four years covered in the most recent data.

"We have an incredible institution that attracts and retains outstanding students, faculty and staff," said GCSU Director of Athletics Wendell Staton. "Five consecutive years creates a standard and this sustained success is not by accident. It is made possible by starting with clear alignment from every corner of the university as we focus on student success."

GCSU is also one of 43 NCAA Division II institutions to receive the Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence, which honors those colleges and universities that earned an academic success rate of 90% or higher. It is the sixth consecutive year that the Bobcats have earned the award.

"This is a clear indicator that we are providing a balanced and holistic experience for our scholar-athletes and preparing them for success upon graduation," Staton added. "I am so proud of our students and the support and guidance they receive from our faculty, staff and coaches who challenge them to be excellent each day."