BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Cal State Bakersfield Athletics Department learned this week that Roadrunner scholar-athletes yet again redefined its academic success. In the most recent data released by the NCAA, CSUB’s Athletic Department earned a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 89 percent with an 86 percent four-year average to boot. Not only has Bakersfield’s GSR score been raised for a third consecutive year, but since being included in the report as a 2007 cohort, the `Runners have risen by 31 percent. 

While all of CSUB's teams contributed to the academic success illustrated by the NCAA's reports, special recognitions go to one men’s team (Basketball) and three women’s teams (Basketball, Beach Volleyball, and Indoor Volleyball) that continue to graduate at 100%. 

On average, Cal State Bakersfield scholar-athletes in the ethnic minority graduate at a 5-10% higher rate than the general student body. Throughout the department’s array of demographics, all ethnic groups graduated at least 75% with four of the five applicable groups graduating at an 83% rate. This continues to uphold the recognition that CSUB, as an institution, has a fantastic reputation for serving and educating minority groups in Bakersfield’s diverse community. 

As Fall 2023 finals wrap up, the `Runner student-athletes have been furiously preparing to test their knowledge as the semester ends. In Spring 2023, Cal State Bakersfield scholar-athletes posted yet another spectacular spring semester with a 3.10 term grade point average while also finishing with a department-wide cumulative GPA higher than a 3.00 for the 17th-consecutive term. Due to their excellent work in the classroom and dedication to their scholarly pursuits, 49% of CSUB's scholar-athletes finished the Spring 2023 term on the Dean's List with a 3.25 GPA or above. 

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors created the GSR in response to Division I college and university presidents who wanted data that more accurately reflected the mobility of college students than the federal graduation rate did. The GSR formula removes from the rate student-athletes who leave school while academically eligible and includes student-athletes who transfer to a school after initially enrolling elsewhere. This calculation provides a more accurate look at student-athlete success.