CHICAGO - Loyola University Chicago was one of only two NCAA Division I institutions to post a 99 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) score according to the latest figures released today by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The 99 percent GSR, tied with Harvard University for the highest in the country, also ranks first among Missouri Valley Conference institutions and Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

"This is another example of the outstanding academic performance of our student-athletes," Director of Athletics Steve Watson said. "To have back-to-back years of finishing in the top three in the country in the GSR speaks to the kind of high school prospects our coaches are recruiting and to the emphasis we put on academic excellence."

Nine of Loyola's 11 programs recorded a perfect score of 100 in the latest GSR report. Women's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's cross country/track and field, women's soccer and softball all scored 100.

Men's volleyball is a classic example of getting it done in the classroom with a perfect score of 100, while at the same time getting it done competitively by winning back-to-back NCAA championships in 2014 and 2015.

Developed to more accurately assess the academic success of student-athletes, the NCAA Graduation Success Rate takes into account transfers, unlike the federal graduation rate. The GSR also accounts for midyear enrollees and is calculated for every sport. Under the calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing students who leave in good academic standing. Outgoing transfers are included in the receiving institution's GSR cohort.

The most recent Division I Graduation Success Rates are based on the four entering classes from 2006-09. The NCAA began compiling these figures with the entering freshman class of 1995.