Grand Canyon University Athletics
Academic momentum continues in latest NCAA APR report
5/6/2026 4:00:00 PM | S-A Development
Lopes post 988 single-year department average; men’s golf, women’s tennis rank in top 10% nationally in multi-year APR
The academic success of Grand Canyon student-athletes continued to show in the latest NCAA Academic Progress Rate data, with the Lopes recording a 988 single-year department average for the 2024-25 academic year.
The NCAA's APR report, which tracks the academic progress of scholarship student-athletes through eligibility, retention and graduation metrics, reflected strong results across GCU's department. The report is based on data submitted for the 2021-22 through 2024-25 academic years.
GCU was highlighted by men's golf and women's tennis posting perfect 1,000 multi-year APR scores, placing both programs in the top 10% nationally within their respective sports. Both programs also recorded perfect 1,000 single-year scores for 2024-25.
The Lopes had eight programs record perfect 1,000 single-year APR scores in 2024-25: beach volleyball, men's basketball, men's cross country, men's golf, women's basketball, women's cross country, women's swimming and diving and women's tennis.
Baseball also produced one of GCU's strongest multi-year marks with a 993 APR, ranking in the 80th to 90th percentile nationally within its sport. Women's swimming and diving posted a 994 multi-year APR, while women's cross country finished at 993 and softball recorded a 991.
The latest APR results add to a strong academic year for Grand Canyon Athletics, which previously reported a 94% Graduation Success Rate in November. GCU's continued academic performance reflects department-wide efforts from student-athletes, coaches, academic support staff and campus partners.
The NCAA's APR system provides a real-time academic measure for each Division I team by assigning points each term to scholarship student-athletes who remain eligible and stay enrolled or graduate. Multi-year rates are used as a key measure of a program's sustained academic performance.
Of GCU's 18 reported programs, 16 posted multi-year APR scores of 960 or higher, and 13 recorded single-year scores of 980 or higher for 2024-25. Men's golf and women's tennis led the department with perfect multi-year and single-year scores, while women's swimming and diving, baseball, women's cross country and softball also posted multi-year rates above 990.
GCU 2024-25 APR highlights
- 988 single-year department average across all sports
- Men's golf and women's tennis ranked in the top 10% nationally within their sports
- Eight programs posted perfect 1,000 single-year APR scores
- Men's golf and women's tennis recorded perfect 1,000 multi-year APR scores
- Six programs posted multi-year APR scores of 990 or better
- 13 programs recorded single-year APR scores of 980 or higher
