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.

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 Ducks

APR Score: 946

2024 APR: 942 (No. 17)

17. Penn State Nittany Lions

APR Score: 947

2024 APR: 947 (No. 16)

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16. Maryland Terrapins

APR Score: 962

2024 APR: 942 (No. 18)

15. UCLA Bruins

APR Score: 967

2024 APR: 972 (No. 12)

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14. Michigan State Spartans

APR Score: 968

2024 APR: 974 (No. 10)

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13. Illinois Fighting Illini

APR Score: 971

2024 APR: 967 (No. 15)

APR Score: 972

2024 APR: 976 (No. 9)

10 (tie). USC Trojans

APR Score: 976

2024 APR: 976 (No. 8)

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10 (tie). Nebraska Cornhuskers

APR Score: 976

2024 APR: 972 (No. 14)

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8 (tie). Washington Huskies

APR Score: 978

2024 APR: 982 (No. 7)

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8 (tie). Rutgers Scarlet Knights

APR Score: 978

2024 APR: 972 (No. 13)

6 (tie). Iowa Hawkeyes

APR Score: 982

2024 APR: 974 (No. 11)

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

6 (tie). Indiana Hoosiers

APR Score: 982

2024 APR: 983 (No. 6)

5. Wisconsin Badgers

APR Score: 991

2024 APR: 993 (No. 4)

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4. Minnesota Golden Gophers

APR Score: 992

2024 APR: 992 (No. 5)

3. Northwestern Wildcats

APR Score: 993

2024 APR: 996 (No. 2)

2. Michigan Wolverines

APR Score: 996

2024 APR: 993 (No. 3)

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

APR Score: 1000

2024 APR: 1000 (No. 1)

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