The Big Ten continues to be college football’s standard when it comes to NCAA academic progress rate.

Only one program in the country boasts a perfect score of 1000 — that program is from the Big Ten. Another Big Ten brand sits tied for 4th nationally, one 12th, another tied for 13th and one tied for 16th. That trend continues throughout the rankings. Where the Big Ten currently contains some of college football’s best-performing teams on the field, it also delivers similar results in the classroom.

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. Additionally, the metric is sometimes used for final bowl tiebreakers. If 5-7 teams are needed to finalize the schedule, the highest APR often earns the bid. See: the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2023.

With all of that said, here are the updated APR totals for every Big Ten football team, as recently updated. The metric now includes the four-year composite of the 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years. Each number below is also compared to each program’s APR and Big Ten standing from this time last year.

18. Oregon Ducks

APR Score: 946

2024 APR: 942 (No. 17)

Oregon was the Big Ten’s best team on the field in 2024, at least through the conference title game. It was the opposite in APR, sitting just 16 points above the 930 cutoff line. However, this year’s number is improved from the program’s 2024 total. Several programs took major jumps forward, including Maryland, which previously occupied this bottom spot.

Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire

17. Penn State Nittany Lions

APR Score: 947

2024 APR: 947 (No. 16)

Penn State remained at 947. That slot accompanied a terrific year on the football field, which included a 13-3 overall record and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. The team is unlikely to ever need its APR as a bowl eligibility tiebreaker, but it still may want to take a few steps above the 930 line.

Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire

16. Maryland Terrapins

APR Score: 962

2024 APR: 942 (No. 18)

Maryland is the biggest riser in this year’s APR. The program was last in the Big Ten at 942 last year, then jumped up 20 points to 962. That impressive improvement has the program safely above the cutoff.

15. UCLA Bruins

APR Score: 967

2024 APR: 972 (No. 12)

UCLA took a slight step back this calendar year. That period saw DeShaun Foster take over for Chip Kelly after the veteran coach left for Ohio State after the 2023 season. That coaching turnover led to significant roster turnover, which can sometimes affect these rankings.

Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire

14. Michigan State Spartans

APR Score: 968

2024 APR: 974 (No. 10)

Michigan State slipped several spots in the Big Ten ranking with a six-point drop from 974 to 968. The team could’ve used this tiebreaker last year after it finished the season 5-7. Either way, Spartan fans are expecting major improvement entering 2025, year two of the Jonathan Smith era.

Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire

13. Illinois Fighting Illini

APR Score: 971

2024 APR: 967 (No. 15)

Illinois complemented its terrific 2024 football season with a slight jump in the APR. The Fighting Illini are expecting big things entering 2025, with the team ranked near the top of the nation in returning production and set to face a light schedule.

APR Score: 972

2024 APR: 976 (No. 9)

Purdue is now on its third coach of the last four years. Barry Odom took over this offseason after the program moved on from Ryan Walters after just two years. That coaching change and top-down roster turnover could impact Purdue’s APR next calendar year.

10 (tie). USC Trojans

APR Score: 976

2024 APR: 976 (No. 8)

USC remains in a strong position in APR. The program hopes to not need a tiebreaker this season, as Lincoln Riley works to establish the program’s position in the new Big Ten.

Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire

10 (tie). Nebraska Cornhuskers

APR Score: 976

2024 APR: 972 (No. 14)

Nebraska took a step forward after year two of the Matt Rhule era, both in APR and on the football field. The Cornhuskers broke their lengthy bowl streak. Entering 2025, fans are expecting a breakthrough.

Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire

8 (tie). Washington Huskies

APR Score: 978

2024 APR: 982 (No. 7)

Washington barely dipped in APR from 2024 to 2025. However, that does not include the last-minute change to head coach Jedd Fisch after Kalen DeBoer left for the Alabama opening. Again, large-scale roster and coaching turnover can affect these numbers.

Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire

8 (tie). Rutgers Scarlet Knights

APR Score: 978

2024 APR: 972 (No. 13)

Rutgers jumped up several spots after a strong season on the field. The Scarlet Knights have now made consecutive bowl games for the first time since 2013-14. That has coincided with a jump in APR, one the program may need given their tough 2025 schedule.

6 (tie). Iowa Hawkeyes

APR Score: 982

2024 APR: 974 (No. 11)

Iowa was one of the biggest risers in this year’s update, jumping up eight APR points and five standings spots as a result. The Hawkeyes also happen to be among the most consistent programs on the field, now entering year 27 under Kirk Ferentz.

Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire

6 (tie). Indiana Hoosiers

APR Score: 982

2024 APR: 983 (No. 6)

Indiana is now matching its strong academic standing with terrific on-field results. Curt Cignetti’s arrival has led to a sudden program renaissance. This number will be worth watching next year, as Cignetti continues a transfer-heavy approach. The team’s current 982 number reflects the last four years of the Tom Allen era.

5. Wisconsin Badgers

APR Score: 991

2024 APR: 993 (No. 4)

It should be little surprise that a program with as strong a culture as Wisconsin has such a terrific academic standing. The Badgers’ 991 APR is tied with Iowa State, Bryant and Dartmouth for No. 16 nationally.

4. Minnesota Golden Gophers

APR Score: 992

2024 APR: 992 (No. 5)

Minnesota has quietly turned into one of the Big Ten’s steady winners under P.J. Fleck, with bowl appearances in each of the last six non-COVID seasons. Its 2023 appearance was due to its strong APR standing, as the metric became a tiebreaker between it and other 5-7 teams.

3. Northwestern Wildcats

APR Score: 993

2024 APR: 996 (No. 2)

Northwestern’s terrific APR comes as little surprise. The Wildcats are up at No. 12 nationally, pairing terrific academics with strong classroom performance.

2. Michigan Wolverines

APR Score: 996

2024 APR: 993 (No. 3)

Michigan jumped up to 996, now including the final four years of the Jim Harbaugh era. The program didn’t experience much turnover from Harbaugh to new coach Sherrone Moore, so expect the program to keep this strong standing. 996 is tied for fourth in the nation.

Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire

APR Score: 1000

2024 APR: 1000 (No. 1)

Ohio State is the only college football program with a perfect 1000 APR. It also just won the national title. Both standings give head coach Ryan Day plenty of talking points at Big Ten media days later this summer.

Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion