UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – In another record-breaking academic performance, Penn State student-athletes registered a 3.14 term grade-point average (GPA) in the 2021 fall semester. The Nittany Lions set fall and overall records (non-alternative grading) with 567 students (65%) with a 3.0 semester GPA and 289 Dean’s List honorees (3.5 semester GPA). In addition, a record-breaking 69 students tallied a 4.0 semester with 14 carrying a 4.0 cumulative GPA.
2021 Fall Semester Notable Numbers:
- 3.14 semester grade-point average
- 3.30 cumulative GPA
- 567 student-athletes with 3.0 semester GPA (fall and overall record)
- 69 student-athletes with a 4.0 semester GPA (fall and overall record)
- 289 student-athletes on Dean’s List (3.5 GPA) (fall and overall record)
- 28 teams (of 31 total) with a 3.3 GPA or higher
“Our students never cease to amaze me! They continue to challenge themselves every day, not only in competition, but in the classroom,” said Sandy Barbour, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “Like much of the world, they have endured significant challenges for the past two years and they have only turned those challenges into achievements. To set fall and overall records for 3.0 and Dean’s List last semester is a testament to our students, as well as our terrific Morgan Academic Center staff, who work tirelessly to provide our students the best conditions for success. Every member of Nittany Nation should be so proud of how our students represent our university, athletics department, alumni and donors!”
More Than 500 Nittany Lion students earn at least 3.0 GPA for fifth-straight fall semester
Five hundred sixty-seven Nittany Lion students posted a 3.0 GPA or higher during for the fifth-straight fall semester. In addition, Russ Mushinsky, director of the Morgan Academic Center, reported 289 student-athletes earned Dean’s List status by posting at least a 3.5 GPA (minimum 12 credits) during the fall semester.
Overall, Penn State student-athletes had a 3.14 grade-point average during the most recent semester.
Twenty-eight of Penn State’s 31 squads posted a team GPA of 3.30 or higher. A total of 65% of 867 enrolled student-athletes during the fall earned a 3.0 GPA or higher. The student-athletes with a 3.0 GPA in the fall semester will be recognized at the men’s basketball game against No. 17 Michigan State at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night in the Bryce Jordan Center.
Women’s soccer posts highest team GPA
The women’s soccer team recorded the highest team GPA among Penn State’s 31 programs during the fall with a 3.69 GPA, followed by the women’s lacrosse (3.55), women’s gymnastics (3.53), women’s swimming & diving (3.51) and women’s tennis (3.45). Men’s tennis had the highest GPA among the men’s programs with a 3.45.