The Big 12 might not be considered a bastion of academia like schools in the ACC or Big Ten, but the conference does have some programs with top-25 marks in NCAA academic progress rate.

Three Big 12 programs boast a top 20 APR score, with another in the top 35. Further down the rankings, the conference does have some schools in danger of falling below the postseason threshold, which we will get into later.

For reference, here is the NCAA’s specific description of its APR measurement:

The APR, or Academic Progress Rate, holds institutions accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes through a team-based metric that accounts for the eligibility and retention of each student-athlete for each academic term.

The APR is calculated as follows:

A strong APR standing matters. Programs must remain above a four-year average APR of 930 to compete in postseason play—Akron (APR of 914) just became the first program since 2014 to receive an academic-related postseason ban. When used for the final bowl tiebreaker, the metric significantly impacts the football team. If 5-7 teams are needed to finalize the postseason schedule, the highest APR often earns the bid, making it an important metric to keep an eye on.

Here are the updated APR totals for every Big 12 football team. The metric now includes the four-year average of the 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. The numbers below are also compared to each program’s APR and Big 12 standing from last year.

16. Houston Cougars

APR Score: 940

2024 APR: 942 (No. 16)

Houston sits only ten points above the cutoff line after falling two points after the previous academic year. Willie Fritz’s group should be one of the Big’s most improved teams on the field, and hopefully, that will also carry over to the classroom.

15. BYU Cougars

APR Score: 954

2024 APR: 951 (No. 15)

BYU improved slightly in its APR this calendar year. Kalani Sitake continues to make the Cougars a perennial top-15 program, and many expect BYU to compete again for the Big 12 title.

APR Score: 961

2024 APR: 960 (No. 14)

Head coach Deion Sanders has placed a significant emphasis on academics, which has paid off so far. During the fall semester, the Buffs had the best GPA in program history, which will need to continue for Colorado to raise its APR more substantially.

13. TCU Horned Frogs

APR Score: 963

2024 APR: 966 (T-11th)

The Horned Frogs are another program that took a step back this calendar year. Under head coach Sonny Dykes, TCU should continue to be a top tier football program, but should aim to also improve off the field.

12. Arizona Wildcats

APR Score: 969

2024 APR: 966 (T-11th)

Despite struggling mightily on the field in 2024, the Wildcats made a slight jump in APR in their first year in the Big 12. The struggles on the field will likely continue this year, as the team is in the second year of a significant rebuild.

11. Kansas Jayhawks

APR Score: 972

2024 APR: 968 (No. 11)

Kansas took a step back last season after being projected to finish fourth in the conference, as the Jayhawks could only muster five total wins. Lance Leipold’s crew won three of their last four games, and hopefully, they will channel that momentum into a strong 2025 season.

10. Arizona State Sun Devils

APR Score: 973

2024 APR: 973 (T-9th)

Arizona State remains in a strong position in APR. The program hopes not to need tiebreakers this season, as Kenny Dillingham works to establish the program as one of the Big 12’s top teams.

9. Baylor Bears

APR Score: 974

2024 APR: 978 (T-7th)

Baylor slipped a couple of spots in the Big 12 ranking with a four-point drop. Dave Aranda and the Bears could make some noise in the Big 12 this season after winning their final six regular-season games.

8. West Virginia Mountaineers

APR Score: 980

2024 APR: 981 (No. 6)

West Virginia hopes its strong academic standing will translate into on-field success. Rich Rodriguez is back at the helm, hoping to channel his winning ways from the early 2000s.

7. Texas Tech Red Raiders

APR Score: 981

2024 APR: 973 (T-9th)

The Red Raiders are one of the conference’s biggest risers in APR this year. Head coach Joey McGuire seems to be doing everything right after leading Texas Tech to an 8-5 season last year. The Red Raiders should be a force this season in the Big 12.

APR Score: 984

2024 APR: 984 (No. 5)

It should be no surprise that a program with as strong a culture as Utah has such a high academic standing. The Utes’ 984 APR is good enough to earn them a top-50 rating in the country.

APR Score: 986

2024 APR: 978 (T-7th)

Oklahoma State is tied with Texas Tech as the conference’s biggest risers. However, the Cowboys’ on-field output was nowhere near what it was in the classroom. They finished last in the Big 12 with no conference wins, but succeeded off the field. Mike Gundy will be tasked with returning the once-perennial Big 12 contender to prominence.

4. UCF Knights

APR Score: 986

2024 APR: 985 (No. 4)

UCF is ushering in a new era with Scott Frost returning to the program that he led to a claimed national title in 2017. Frost begins his second stint in Orlando with a solid academic standing but a lot of work to do with the roster.

APR Score: 990

2024 APR: 990 (No. 2)

Kansas State has quietly turned into one of the Big 12’s top teams under Chris Klieman, with bowl appearances in the last four seasons. Kansas State could be the best all-around team in the Big 12 this year and is one of the favorites to be crowned conference champions.

2. Iowa State Cyclones

APR Score: 991

2024 APR: 988 (No. 3)

Matt Campbell has turned Iowa State into a program that consistently punches above its weight. The Cyclones are consistently one of the Big 12’s top teams and hold a fantastic academic standing. Their 991 APR is tied with Wisconsin, Bryant and Dartmouth for No. 16 nationally.

APR Score: 994

2024 APR: 994 (No. 1)

The Bearcats are still adjusting to life in a Power Four conference, but their APR is one of the best in the nation. At 11th nationally, Cincinnati holds a higher APR than schools like Northwestern (12th), Dartmouth (T-16th) and Notre Dame (T-20th).

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