FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University student-athletes achieved one of the highest graduation rates in the nation as the NCAA announced its annual Graduation Success Rates (GSR). The Stags achieved a 97 percent graduation rate for a four-year cohort of student-athletes entering between the years of 2007-10. Overall, the Federal Graduation Rate (FGR) for student-athletes rose to 83 percent during this four-year period.
 
Fairfield was one of 24 Division I schools to have a 97 percent GSR or higher among freshmen who attended school from 2008-11. The student-athlete four-year class average stood at 83 percent.
 
"This exceptional GSR score is reflective of a University wide commitment to the holistic educational experience of our student-athletes and their commitment to academic excellence," Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann said. "We are proud to hold a place among the nation's Division I elite in this category.  Credit the caliber of our student-athletes and the dedicated efforts of our coaches and staff for these exceptional outcomes."
 
Fairfield owned the highest GSR in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference along with Manhattan College as both schools earned a 97 percent rate. The MAAC was tied for fourth highest score of the 31 Division I conferences.
 
Twelve sports at Fairfield University achieved a 100 percent graduation rate based on the current information, namely women's cross country,  field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, women's rowing , softball , men's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, and volleyball
 
The NCAA began compiling data with the entering freshman class of 1995 and developed the GSR in order to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes. The GSR includes transfer students and student-athletes who leave in good academic standing. The GSR measures graduation over six years from initial college enrollment.