DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University student-athletes continue to excel academically as the NCAA released its 2026 Academic Progress Rate (APR) data earlier this week. Once again this year, all 16 Huskie programs surpassed the APR standards set by the NCAA to measure the eligibility, graduation and retention of Division I student-athletes.

"The APR report is proof of NIU Athletics' commitment to doing things the right way in competition, the community, as well as the classroom," said NIU Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean T. Frazier. "Our commitment to academic standards is unwavering and a testament to the outstanding dedication of student-athletes, coaches, and staff."

Three NIU programs, men's golf, women's basketball and women's golf, produced perfect 1,000 scores. This is the fifth consecutive year that both the Huskie men's and women's golf teams have recorded perfect APR scores. Four additional NIU programs, cross country, softball, women's soccer and women's tennis, scored better than 990 this year. 

In total, 14 of NIU's 16 programs maintained or improved upon their APR score from a year ago and nine of NIU's 16 teams recorded scores better than the national average within their sport, including the NIU football and men's basketball programs.

For over 20 years, every Division I sports team across the country has calculated its APR using a simple and consistent formula. Each term, scholarship student-athletes earn one point for remaining eligible and one point for staying in school or graduating. The minimum APR academic standard for each team to be in good standing is 930. The 2026 APR report provides a four-year snapshot of these variables based on annual rates from 2021-22 through 2024-25.

All-time APRs for all Division I teams are available online through the NCAA's searchable database.