USA Today Rewards Utah State University's Athletic Academic Achievement

USA Today Rewards Utah State University's Athletic Academic Achievement

Utah State University was awarded a $20,000 prize for NCAA Academic Achievement from USA Today.

Utah State ranked second in the nation in Division I-A for graduation rate increase, sixth for having a graduation rate above student body rate and twelfth in overall freshman athlete graduation rate.

Rankings are determined by federal graduation-rate forms used by schools in Divisions I and II. The forms are for freshmen who entered in fall 1996 and had six years to graduate. Each school offering athletic scholarships is required to complete these forms annually. In Division I, Ivy League schools and service academies are exempt because they don't offer athletic aid. There are 325 Division I and 270 Division II schools. Division III schools cannot provide scholarships but were asked to voluntarily participate in this survey. (USA Today, 09/02/03) (See the full USA Today report.)