Texas Tech Football Grad Rates Among Top 10

Graduation success rate for Red Raider football program second in BCS public comparisons.

Athletics

Written by Chris Cook

Texas Tech football player

Texas Tech student athletes hold a high graduation rate among Big 12 schools.

In the recent Graduation Success Rate (GSR) data released by the NCAA, Texas Tech’s football program graduated 79 percent of its student athletes during the 1997-2000 period, ranking the program among the top 10 nationally among all Bowl Championship Series institutions and second in BCS public institution comparisons.

“We are certainly proud of all of our student athletes who graduate, and this ranking is a tribute to all the hard work of the football student athletes, coaches, faculty and staff that make Texas Tech a great institution," said John Anderson, associate athletic director/student services.

When factoring in all public and private schools, Texas Tech ranked 10th and was third in the Big 12 behind Baylor (84%) and Nebraska (83%). Kansas State (73%) is the only other Big 12 school above the 70 percent mark.

The GSR was developed in response to college and university presidents who wanted graduation data that more accurately reflect the mobility among college students today. It does not factor in student athletes that transfer and includes those that transfer in.

Texas Tech has traditionally posted a graduation rate of 70 percent or above during Head Coach Mike Leach’s tenure. In his eighth season, Leach’s teams have been recognized each spring by the American Football Coaches Association for the program’s high level of graduation.

BIG 12 GSR NUMBERS

84% Baylor

83% Nebraska

79% Texas Tech

73% Kansas State

68% Colorado

64% Oklahoma State

62% Texas A&M

60% Missouri

56% Kansas

55% Iowa State

44% Oklahoma

42% Texas

Jan 15, 2020