NCAA Report Links Frequent Student-Athlete Transfers to Lower Graduation Rates

Newly released figures from the NCAA indicate that college football players who change schools more than once experience a substantially reduced likelihood of graduating on time. The data examined six-year graduation metrics for roughly 36,000 student-athletes who started their college education in the 2018-19 academic year.

According to the findings, Bowl Subdivision football players who stayed at a single institution throughout their careers graduated at significantly higher rates than those who switched schools multiple times. Across all sports, athletes who transferred multiple times typically posted graduation rates 15 to 20 percentage points lower than peers who never transferred.

NCAA leadership characterized the statistics as a stark indicator that court-driven transfer regulations lead to negative academic results for competitors. The release coincides with nationwide legal challenges from players seeking additional years of eligibility, which frequently involve changing institutions.

In response to these legal battles and academic trends, supporters are looking toward federal legislation. The Protect College Sports Act aims to limit future eligibility lawsuits directed at the organization, though it would not affect ongoing legal proceedings.