When it comes to NCAA academic progress rates, there are few college football conferences in the same league as the Big Ten.

Of the teams in the nation with the highest scores, four of the top 20 are in the Big Ten, including the only school with a perfect 1,000 score. Both on and off the field, it’s clear that the Big Ten has some of the best and smartest teams in the nation.

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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. This means that former Oregon OC Joe Moorehead will not be able to play in any bowl games, should the Zips qualify. 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.

Here are the updated APR totals for every Big Ten football team, which came out this past week. 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 DucksOregon Ducks Spring Game 2025

Oregon Ducks Spring Game 2025

APR Score: 946

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2024 APR: 942 (No. 17)

17. Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State head coach James Franklin greets freshman quarterback Drew Allar during pre-game warmups at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in State College. Hes Dr 112622 Psumsu

Penn State head coach James Franklin greets freshman quarterback Drew Allar during pre-game warmups at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in State College. Hes Dr 112622 Psumsu

APR Score: 947

2024 APR: 947 (No. 16)

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

16. Maryland TerrapinsDec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley waits to take the field before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley waits to take the field before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

APR Score: 962

2024 APR: 942 (No. 18)

15. UCLA BruinsFeb 13, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; DeShaun Foster answers questions from media after he was introduced as the UCLA Bruins head football coach during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 13, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; DeShaun Foster answers questions from media after he was introduced as the UCLA Bruins head football coach during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

APR Score: 967

2024 APR: 972 (No. 12)

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

14. Michigan State SpartansMichigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during practice on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in East Lansing.

Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during practice on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in East Lansing.

APR Score: 968

2024 APR: 974 (No. 10)

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

13. Illinois Fighting IlliniNov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

APR Score: 971

2024 APR: 967 (No. 15)

Purdue Boilermakers head coach Barry Odom smiles Saturday, April 12, 2025, during the spring showcase at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue Boilermakers head coach Barry Odom smiles Saturday, April 12, 2025, during the spring showcase at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.

APR Score: 972

2024 APR: 976 (No. 9)

10 (tie). USC TrojansOct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks on his headset in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks on his headset in the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

APR Score: 976

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2024 APR: 976 (No. 8)

Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions onTrojans Wire

10 (tie). Nebraska CornhuskersNov 24, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule talks to the official during their game with the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 24, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule talks to the official during their game with the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

APR Score: 976

2024 APR: 972 (No. 14)

Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions onCornhuskers Wire

8 (tie). Washington HuskiesNov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

APR Score: 978

2024 APR: 982 (No. 7)

Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions onHuskies Wire

8 (tie). Rutgers Scarlet KnightsRobb Smith has returned to Rutgers football as co-defensive coordinator. This is Smith's third stint with the Scarlet Knights and fourth time working for head coach Greg Schiano.

Robb Smith has returned to Rutgers football as co-defensive coordinator. This is Smith’s third stint with the Scarlet Knights and fourth time working for head coach Greg Schiano.

APR Score: 978

2024 APR: 972 (No. 13)

6 (tie). Iowa HawkeyesIowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz raises the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl trophy after leading the Hawkeyes to a 27-20 win over Boston College in the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz raises the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl trophy after leading the Hawkeyes to a 27-20 win over Boston College in the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, NY on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017.

APR Score: 982

2024 APR: 974 (No. 11)

Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions onHawkeyes Wire

6 (tie). Indiana HoosiersIndiana's newly announced head coach of football Curt Cignetti speaks to the media on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

Indiana’s newly announced head coach of football Curt Cignetti speaks to the media on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

APR Score: 982

2024 APR: 983 (No. 6)

5. Wisconsin BadgersWisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell talks to an official during the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Wisconsin Badgers won 38-17.

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell talks to an official during the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Wisconsin Badgers won 38-17.

APR Score: 991

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2024 APR: 993 (No. 4)

Get more (Wisconsin) news, analysis and opinions on Badgers Wire

4. Minnesota Golden GophersJan 1, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck (sunglasses) reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 1, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck (sunglasses) reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Auburn Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

APR Score: 992

2024 APR: 992 (No. 5)

3. Northwestern WildcatsNov 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun watches his team play against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun watches his team play against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

APR Score: 993

2024 APR: 996 (No. 2)

2. Michigan WolverinesMichigan head coach Sherrone Moore uses a hand signal to celebrate the Wolverines' fourth straight win over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore uses a hand signal to celebrate the Wolverines’ fourth straight win over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

APR Score: 996

2024 APR: 993 (No. 3)

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

April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day speaks to players during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

April 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day speaks to players during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

APR Score: 1000

2024 APR: 1000 (No. 1)

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

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Ranking Big Ten football programs by 2025 academic progress rates