INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Missouri State University has once again been deemed in good standing, according to Tuesday's (June 4) annual release of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) data by the NCAA, with four programs earning national recognition.
 
All but one of MSU's 17 intercollegiate programs exceeds the minimum 930 multi-year APR score for the most-recent four-year period which includes 2019–2020, 2020–2021, 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 academic years. 

Women's cross country, men's golf, women's golf and women's swimming & diving all posted perfect 1000 multi-year scores during the most-recent period. Each of those programs earned NCAA public recognition award status by accumulating multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all teams at the Division I level in their sport.

Missouri State's football program is operating under an NCAA-approved APR improvement plan for the current cycle, which includes a substantial uptick in the APR score for the fall 2023 semester (979) and a total projected 950 for the 2023-24 academic year. These factors from the recently-completed academic year will roll into the four-year multi-year rate next year. 

"I appreciate the good work Coach (Ryan) Beard and his staff have done to improve our scores," said Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. "We have put processes in place to continue to improve our football numbers, and we are on the right track in all areas."

As a department, Missouri State's single-year average for all sports was 987, the university's highest marks ever. This average qualified MSU for the NCAA's Academic Incentive program moneys which are distributed annually by the national governing body.
 
Division I teams must achieve a 930 four-year APR score without facing potential penalties or documented improvement plans. NCAA members chose the 930 standard because that score predicts, on average, a 50 percent graduation rate for teams at that APR level. Additionally, teams must earn at least a 930 four-year APR to avoid penalties.
 
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
 
In addition to its three publicly-recognized programs, MSU achieved the following multi-year APR scores in its other sports during the most-recent four-year period: Softball 997; Women's Soccer 996; Women's Basketball 990; Women's Volleyball 989; Men's Soccer 986; Women's Tennis 982; Men's Basketball 975; Baseball 970; Women's Track & Field 968; Men's Swimming & Diving 966; Beach Volleyball 949; Football 912.
 
Nationally, the four-year Academic Progress Rate national average for Division I teams remained steady at 984 this year, as the division marked the 20th anniversary of APR data collection. APRs for each team are available online through the NCAA's searchable database.