UW Athletes Hit 993 APR Score for 13th Straight Year

University of Washington student-athletes are crushing it in the classroom, and the numbers tell an incredible story of dedication that goes far beyond game day.

The NCAA just released its Academic Progress Rate report, and UW's athletes scored a stunning 993 out of 1,000 for the single year. Their four-year average sits at 992, well above the national average of 986.

This marks the 13th consecutive year Washington has scored above 980 across all programs. That's more than a decade of consistent academic excellence while competing at the highest levels of college sports.

Even more impressive? Twelve UW programs posted perfect 1,000 scores this year. Seven teams maintain perfect multi-year scores: beach volleyball, men's golf, gymnastics, women's soccer, women's tennis, men's track and field, and volleyball.

Director of Athletics Pat Chun celebrated the achievement as a reflection of student-athletes, coaches, and academic support staff working together. They've built a culture that values education at one of the nation's top research universities.

The recent wins keep stacking up beyond just APR scores. Last fall, the department matched its highest-ever Graduation Success Rate at 94 percent.

Fall 2025 brought another milestone: a department-wide GPA of 3.52, the highest in UW history. For the first time ever, every single program achieved a 3.30 GPA or better.

The Ripple Effect

These achievements send a powerful message to high school students everywhere: you don't have to choose between athletic dreams and academic success. Washington's student-athletes are proving every quarter that excellence in one area fuels excellence in another.

The Academic Progress Rate tracks students each quarter, measuring eligibility, retention, and graduation. It provides a real-time snapshot of how teams support their members academically while managing intense training and competition schedules.

Seven UW programs now rank first in the Big Ten Conference for academic performance. Women's rowing sits at second with a 998 score, while men's soccer ties for third at 997.

These student-athletes balance early morning practices, cross-country travel, physical demands, and the pressure of competition while maintaining GPAs that many full-time students would envy. They're redefining what it means to be a college athlete in 2026.

Thirteen years of sustained academic excellence proves this isn't a fluke or a one-time push but a lasting commitment to developing well-rounded people who will thrive long after their playing days end.