Clemson Sets Department APR Record
By: Staff Report May 5, 2026

CLEMSON – Clemson Athletics posted its highest single-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) in school history, a 998 out of 1,000, in the NCAA’s latest data release, which includes the 2021-22 through 2024-25 academic years.

A record 12 programs earned Public Recognition Awards, given annually to teams with multiyear Academic Progress Rates in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport, and 10 programs had a perfect 1,000. 

In total, 16 of Clemson’s 19 eligible programs were at 990 or better.

Program Notes:

  • Public Recognition Awards (12): Football, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Men’s Soccer, Softball, Women’s Golf, Women’s Gymnastics, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Track & Field, Volleyball
  • Perfect 1,000 Scores (10): Men’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Softball, Women’s Golf, Women’s Gymnastics, Women’s Soccer, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Track & Field, Volleyball
  • Set or Tied Program Records (14): Women’s Basketball, Women’s Golf, Women’s Gymnastics, Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Soccer, Softball, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Track & Field, Volleyball, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Men’s Soccer and Men’s Tennis.

The department has now:

  • Posted five consecutive APRs of 991 or higher
  • Matched or exceeded 995 in four of the last five cohorts

Scores: Multi-Year

Bold: Program Record; *Public Recognition Award (Top 10% Nationally)

Women’s Sports:

  • Women’s Basketball (995)
  • Women’s Cross Country (984)
  • Women’s Golf (1000*)
  • Women’s Gymnastics (1000*)
  • Women’s Lacrosse (997)
  • Women’s Rowing (995)
  • Women’s Soccer (1000*)
  • Softball (1000*)
  • Women’s Tennis (1000*)
  • Women’s Track (1000*)
  • Women’s Volleyball (1000*)

Men’s Sports:

  • Baseball (983)
  • Football (996*)
  • Men’s Basketball (1000*)
  • Men’s Cross Country (1000*)
  • Men’s Golf (1000*)
  • Men’s Soccer (997*)
  • Men’s Tennis (993)
  • Men’s Track (986)

Program Highlights:

Women’s Sports:

  • Basketball (995) – Tied the program record with its highest multi-year APR with a 995 in back-to-back seasons.
  • Cross Country (986) – Recorded 980 or higher in four consecutive cohorts
  • Golf (1000) – Extended a streak of 11 consecutive perfect multi-year scores (every eligible cohort)
  • Gymnastics (1000) – Earned a second perfect APR in in as many eligible cohorts
  • Lacrosse (997) – Set the program record in its third cohort
  • Rowing (995) – Posted 995 in three consecutive cohorts
  • Soccer (1000) – Recorded ten consecutive cohorts at 990 or higher and nine consecutive at 997 or higher
  • Softball (1000) – Maintained a perfect APR in all five eligible cohorts in program history
  • Tennis (1000) – Recorded five consecutive perfect multi-year scores
  • Track & Field (1000) – Four consecutive perfect scores
  • Volleyball (1000) – Extended a streak of ten consecutive cohorts at 994 or higher

Men’s Sports:

  • Baseball (983) – Maintained 980 or higher in 13 of the last 14 cohorts
  • Football (996) – Posted 990 or higher in every reporting cycle since 2017-18 (One of four nationally, two P5); One of only two programs nationally, and the only FBS institution, to record a 995 or higher APR in each of the last six reporting cycles (Columbia).
  • Basketball (1000) – Recorded three straight perfect multi-year scores, tying the program record; One of three ACC programs with 1,000 in 2025, only ACC program to have 1,000 in back-to-back years. 
  • Cross Country (1000) – Extended a streak of eight consecutive perfect multi-year scores
  • Golf (1000) – Five consecutive cohorts at 1,000
  • Soccer (997) – Tied the program record and has recorded 990 or higher in four consecutive cohorts
  • Tennis (993) – Tied program record – now has back-to-back 993s
  • Track & Field (986) – 986 or higher in five consecutive releases

ABOUT THE APR

The Academic Progress Rate is a real-time measure of eligibility and retention of student-athletes competing on every Division I sports team. The most recent APR scores are based on a multi-year rate that averages scores from the 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. Under the revised penalty structure, the Division I Board of Directors has set a cut score of 930 (out of 1,000) as a threshold for teams to meet or face possible sanctions. An APR of 930 projects a 50 percent Graduation Success Rate (GSR).

–courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications