New data compiled by the National Collegiate Athletic Association shows a graduation rate of 44 percent for all Black students who entered college from 2002 to 2005 and earned their bachelor’s degree within six years at the same institution. For Whites at these institutions the graduation rate was 21 points higher at 65 percent. Black women had a graduation rate of 48 percent compared to 38 percent for Black men.
Black student athletes had a graduation rate of 65 percent. This was still 20 percentage points below the rate for White student athletes. In many cases, student athletes have a high graduation rate than other students due to the fact that because of athletic scholarships student athletes are able to remain in college without have to worry about paying bills for tuition and room and board.
Over the past 20 years, Black students have shown steady increases in overall college graduation rates. But the racial gap between Whites and Blacks has remained relatively constant.
Athletic academic success is also because the NCAA now mandates academic progress and the media spotlight in on schools that don’t do so . . .