COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College was among the top three in NCAA Division II in student-athlete graduation rate for the eighth straight year in 2020, as data released by the NCAA on Tuesday revealed the College's student-athletes achieved an Academic Success Rate (ASR) of 98% for the most recent cycle. Saint Michael's was one of the top two in the Northeast-10 Conference for the 14th straight year.

The College tied for second in ASR among more than 300 Division II schools for the 2010-13 cohort taken into account, trailing only NE10 counterpart Bentley University (99%) while matching Thomas Jefferson (Pa.) University (98%). Saint Michael's posted at least a 97% showing for the 13th consecutive four-year cycle, finishing at 98% or better for the 10th time after peaking at 99% in both 2010 and 2011. Among the NE10's 14 schools, Saint Michael's trailed only national leader Bentley while outdistancing Stonehill College (92%), Adelphi University (91%) and Assumption University (91%).

"Congratulations for this recognition goes to the entire Saint Michael's community - it simply would not be possible without the vital contributions and support of our faculty, staff and administration," said Director of Athletics Chris Kenny '86. "Thirteen straight years among the nation's top four, and our eighth time placing among the top two Division II institutions in the country. This is a statement that speaks volumes of the qualities and commitment to academic excellence found in our Purple Knights. Our student-athletes value this distinction, and we are immensely proud of their achievement."

By tying for second among all Division II institutions, the College finished no worse than fourth for the 13th straight year, placing first in 2011; tying for first in 2010 and 2017; tying for second in 2009, 2015, 2016 and 2018; taking third in 2013 and 2019; tying for third in 2014; and capturing fourth in both 2008 and 2012.

The ASR, which this year took into account the four-year cycle of classes entering between 2010 and 2013, is in its 15th year of existence. Saint Michael's continued to record an ASR significantly higher than the NCAA Division II average, which this year was 74%. The data shows 17 of the College's 21 programs had a 100% ASR for this four-year span, as Saint Michael's led the NE10 in the distinction for the ninth straight year while accounting for more than one fifth of the 83 NE10 squads that had a perfect ASR. The NE10 posted a conference-record 89% ASR, leading all of NCAA Division II.

The NCAA annually releases the Division II ASR, a model developed 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 athletic scholarships, while the ASR considers all student-athletes, thus capturing non-scholarship students that represent a clear majority of the Saint Michael's student-athletes.

Of the 21 sports offered by Saint Michael's, these 17 earned a 100% ASR for the 2010-13 cohort: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's golf, women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's skiing, women's soccer, softball, women's swimming & diving, men's and women's tennis, and women's volleyball. Three of the remaining four were at 92% or better.

A searchable database for ASR information and federal reports for all NCAA Division II institutions is available by visiting here.