LA MIRADA, Calif. --- On Tuesday, the NCAA released the NCAA Division II Academic Success Rate (ASR) for each of its member institutions. For the second-consecutive year Biola led the PacWest Conference with an overall ASR of 96 percent. That mark was good enough for fifth-best in all of NCAA Division II.

NCAA Division II Academic Success Rate has been measured since 2006 and is a tool used to compare student-athlete graduation rates to federal averages and general student body numbers. The ASR is the percentage of student-athletes who graduate within six years of initial enrollment at a college. The NCAA developed the Division II ASR at the request of college and university presidents who believed the federal graduation rate was flawed.

Biola has recorded an ASR of at least 92 percent each year since beginning its transition to NCAA Division II. Last year Biola and Point Loma both led the conference with a 96, but this year Biola pushed past the Sea Lions.

"We are proud of our student-athletes and coaches for this academic achievement," said Dr. Bethany Miller, senior director of athletics. "For us, this represents more than academic success. It demonstrates that our vision for whole-person development at Biola is happening - that student-athletes are thriving in their courses and being prepared for their next step into life - careers, graduate school, ministry, or wherever God calls them. I am grateful for the strong support we have across our campus -  we have such an incredible team of faculty and staff that care deeply for the success of our student-athletes!"

Bentley University (Mass.) led all NCAA Division II institutions with an ASR of 99. It made eight years in a row that the Falcons had an ASR of 95 or higher. They've led division II each of the last four years. 

The PacWest Conference had a combined ASR of 79, which is seventh-best of the 24 NCAA Division II conferences. The national ASR is 74, which was a one percent improvement from last year's numbers.

"The increase in graduation rates further demonstrate that Division II student-athletes are just as committed to their academic success as they are to their athletic success, and we applaud them for their dedication and achievements," said Terri Steeb Gronau, NCAA vice president of Division II. "These increases also demonstrate the dedication of our Division II member schools to providing college athletes with opportunities to succeed not only on the field, but in the classroom and in life. I extend my congratulations and thanks to our member schools for all the work they are doing to support college athletes and the division's Life in the Balance philosophy."

Eleven of Biola's 16 varsity programs recorded an ASR of 100 percent. These include men and women's swim & dive, men and women's tennis, men and women's cross country and track & field, women's basketball, women's soccer and volleyball.

"It is so good to be a part of a university where academics is taken seriously by our student-athletes and athletics is supported by our faculty," said Dr. Dave Talley, Professor of Old Testament and Biola's Faculty Athletics Representative. "It takes all of us to be a winning combination...and we are! Congratulations to our student-athletes for finishing with 96 Academic Success Rate. We are proud of each of you as you represent our university. And we also extend a big thanks to our faculty for working with our student-athletes' often demanding schedules!  You are greatly appreciated. Biola University is making its mark on NCAA Division II."

Biola (96), Point Loma (95) and Dominican (94) led the way in the PacWest with Azusa Pacific finishing fourth at 82.