Academic Achievement among NCAA Division 2 Student-Athletes and Non-Athletes

There is a lack of published research on the evaluation of academic success among student-athletes in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 2 (D2) institutions. Our study focused on comparing academic performance and career prospects between student-athletes and non-athletes (traditional students) at a D2 university. A survey measuring academic and career-related variables was administered to 170 participants, with 92 (54%) being student-athletes and 78 (46%) being non-athlete students. Our findings revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of study hours, grade point average, and academic motivation. Moreover, there were no disparities in declared majors, expected graduation timelines, and career aspirations. The academic performance of student-athletes was found to be similar to that of their non-athlete counterparts. Most D2 student-athletes did not foresee pursuing professional sports careers, highlighting the importance of academic achievement in their overall career objectives.