COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College led NCAA Division II in student-athlete graduation rate for the fifth time in 13 years in 2022, as data released by the NCAA on Tuesday revealed the College's student-athletes achieved an Academic Success Rate (ASR) of 99% for the most recent cycle.

Saint Michael's, which tied Northeast-10 Conference counterpart Bentley University and Biola (Calif.) University for first place, also led NCAA Division II in ASR in 2010, 2011, 2017 and 2021.

The College tied for first in ASR among more than 300 Division II schools for the 2012-15 cohort taken into account, matching Bentley and Biola while edging Hillsdale (Mich.) College (98%), Thomas Jefferson (Pa.) University (97%) and Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University (97%). Saint Michael's posted at least a 97% showing for the 15th straight four-year cycle, notched its 12th finish of 98% or better, and reached 99% for the fourth time.

For the 16th straight year, Saint Michael's was one of the top two in the NE10, either outright leading the league or tying for first for the 11th time in that span. Among the NE10's 14 schools at the time, Saint Michael's matched Bentley while besting a competitive field that included Le Moyne College (95%), Stonehill College (93%), Adelphi University (92%), Saint Anselm College (92%), Assumption University (91%) and Southern New Hampshire University (91%).

"This is an outstanding accomplishment for our student-athletes and our College," said Director of Athletics Chris Kenny '86. "To be ranked No. 1 in the nation for the fifth time in the report's history, and to be among the top four institutions in the country for the 15th consecutive year speaks volumes to our collective commitment to academic success. At Saint Michael's, our student-athletes take great pride in this elite level of sustained academic achievement. They are well aware of the magnitude of this tradition of excellence, and understand the importance of carrying this standard for those who came before them, and in leading those who will follow. This is a distinction that is to be celebrated by everyone in the Saint Michael's community, for it would not be possible without the student-centered commitment and tremendous support provided by our faculty, staff and administration. Congratulations Purple Knights!"

By tying for first among all Division II institutions, the College finished no worse than fourth for the 15th straight year, placing first in 2011; tying for first in 2010, 2017 and 2021; tying for second in 2009, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020; 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 2012 and 2015, is in its 17th year of existence. Saint Michael's continued to record an ASR significantly higher than the NCAA Division II average, which this year was 76%. The data shows 18 of the College's 21 programs had a 100% ASR for this four-year span, as Saint Michael's led the NE10 in programs with a 100% ASR for the 11th straight year while accounting for nearly one fifth of the 93 NE10 squads that had a perfect ASR. The NE10 led NCAA Division II with a conference-record-tying 89% ASR.

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 varsity sports offered by Saint Michael's, 18 earned a 100% ASR for the 2012-15 cohort: baseball, women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's golf, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's skiing, women's soccer, softball, women's swimming & diving, men's and women's tennis, and women's volleyball. The remaining three were both at 93% or better.

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