
The Academic Progress Rate (APR) has become a critical metric in college athletics, measuring the academic success and retention of student-athletes. The NCAA uses APR to hold institutions accountable for the academic performance of their scholarship athletes, and football, as one of the most high-profile sports, comes under heavy scrutiny. In 2025, the NCAA released its updated APR data for football, shedding light on how each of the 17 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) programs are performing in the classroom. From standout academic achievers to programs that need improvement, here’s a comprehensive ranking of all ACC football teams by their most recent NCAA Academic Progress Rate scores.
1. Duke Blue Devils (APR: 997)
Duke has long been regarded as the academic standard-bearer within the ACC, and its football program reinforces that reputation. With a 997 APR score—just three points shy of a perfect 1,000—the Blue Devils demonstrate a robust commitment to ensuring athletes graduate and remain academically eligible. Even as Duke has struggled to compete at the top tier of ACC football in recent years, the academic culture remains unmatched, providing a foundation for long-term program stability.
2. Boston College Eagles (APR: 995)
Boston College’s Jesuit educational values are deeply rooted in academic integrity and student development, and it shows in the football APR numbers. With a score of 995, BC continues to excel in combining athletic competitiveness with strong academic results. Despite the football team’s mixed on-field record, this level of academic performance reflects well on head coach Jeff Hafley’s emphasis on student-athlete development beyond the gridiron.
3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (APR: 993)
Wake Forest consistently ranks among the top private institutions in the South, and its football program aligns with that academic excellence. The Demon Deacons posted an impressive 993 APR score in 2025, a result of focused academic support programs and a strong culture of accountability. This success in the classroom complements their competitive efforts on the field under Dave Clawson.
4. Virginia Cavaliers (APR: 990)
As a public Ivy, the University of Virginia has high academic standards, and the football program lives up to them with a 990 APR. Despite some transitions in coaching staff and roster turnover in recent years, UVA’s commitment to academic progress remains steady. Tony Elliott and his staff have emphasized not just physical development but also intellectual growth, with positive results in the APR report.
5. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (APR: 987)
Georgia Tech is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, especially in engineering and technology. Despite the challenge of balancing demanding coursework with Division I football, the Yellow Jackets continue to post top-tier APR scores. The 987 mark reflects a strong support system and the adaptability of student-athletes willing to meet GT’s academic expectations while competing in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (APR: 985)
Though a football independent, Notre Dame is a full member of the ACC in all other sports, and they participate in the ACC’s APR reports. The Irish, known for their prestigious academic reputation, posted an APR of 985. This figure is emblematic of the program’s focus on developing complete student-athletes. The balance between elite athletics and rigorous academics has always been Notre Dame’s calling card, and that tradition continues in 2025.
7. Syracuse Orange (APR: 983)
Syracuse’s APR score of 983 places them solidly in the upper half of the ACC. The university has prioritized academic resources for athletes in recent years, and the return has been substantial. Despite recent struggles to establish consistent success on the field, the Orange have maintained a strong classroom presence that bodes well for future stability in recruiting and program image.
8. North Carolina Tar Heels (APR: 981)
The Tar Heels continue to balance academic ambition with athletic excellence. Posting a solid 981 APR in 2025, UNC showcases a commendable ability to keep players eligible and progressing toward graduation. Mack Brown’s focus on character and education, as well as on-field success, has kept UNC a respectable program both on and off the field.
9. Louisville Cardinals (APR: 976)
Louisville has improved its academic image in recent years, with the football program pushing closer to the ACC average. The Cardinals’ 976 APR score in 2025 reflects a steady rise that mirrors their recent strides on the field. Under Jeff Brohm, the team has benefited from enhanced academic support staff and revamped expectations around academic accountability.
10. Clemson Tigers (APR: 973)
Though best known for their national championship-caliber performances on the field, Clemson also maintains respectable academic standards. With an APR score of 973, the Tigers show that athletic dominance doesn’t have to come at the cost of academic progress. Dabo Swinney continues to emphasize player development in all areas, ensuring that graduation remains a priority.
11. Miami Hurricanes (APR: 970)
Miami continues to rebuild both academically and athletically. The 970 APR mark is decent but leaves room for growth considering the university’s strong academic reputation. Head coach Mario Cristobal has made academic improvement a central focus, implementing new measures aimed at improving player retention and academic success, but the full results may take another cycle or two to manifest.
12. Pittsburgh Panthers (APR: 968)
Pitt finds itself in the lower half of the ACC when it comes to football APR, posting a 968 in 2025. Though the university itself maintains high academic standards, the football program has faced challenges related to player transfers and coaching changes. Pat Narduzzi’s program still shows signs of promise, but increasing academic consistency will be vital to overall success.
13. Florida State Seminoles (APR: 963)
Florida State has returned to national prominence in football, but their academic progress remains a step behind. A 963 APR shows modest improvement, but the Seminoles must address academic retention more effectively to catch up with the conference’s top performers. The program has been proactive in hiring more academic advisors and tutors, signaling a shift toward better balance between academics and athletics.
14. Virginia Tech Hokies (APR: 959)
The Hokies are in a period of transition under Brent Pry, and their academic progress reflects some of those growing pains. A 959 APR is below the ACC average and a signal that Virginia Tech needs to reinvest in academic support structures. Attrition, redshirt transfers, and other roster management challenges have contributed to this score, but there is optimism that things will improve.
15. NC State Wolfpack (APR: 954)
NC State’s APR of 954 ranks near the bottom of the conference. While the Wolfpack have consistently competed well on the field, their academic metrics have lagged behind. Dave Doeren and the athletic department have acknowledged this shortcoming and launched new initiatives aimed at improving academic performance, including mentorship programs and greater academic monitoring.
16. California Golden Bears (APR: 949)
In a unique twist, Cal joined the ACC amid conference realignment and brought with it a mixed academic track record in football. While the university overall is one of the most prestigious public institutions in the world, the football team has struggled with retention and academic eligibility, reflected in its 949 APR. Cal faces the challenge of blending rigorous West Coast academic expectations with a new East Coast football environment.
17. Stanford Cardinal (APR: 944)
Rounding out the list is Stanford, a surprising name at the bottom given its Ivy-like reputation. The football program’s APR of 944 indicates a period of serious struggle, with a high rate of transfers and academic disqualifications in recent years. Stanford’s transition into the ACC has come with immense logistical and cultural hurdles, and the football program has struggled to keep its athletes on pace academically during this upheaval. Still, few doubt Stanford’s ability to eventually rebound, given the school’s historical success in both academics and athletics.
As the NCAA continues to emphasize the role of academics in collegiate athletics, the APR remains an essential barometer of a program’s health and integrity. While some ACC teams are flourishing both on and off the field, others face stark realities about the need for academic improvement. Whether it’s through increased institutional support, coaching accountability, or student-athlete mentorship, APR rankings will continue to serve as a wake-up call—or a point of pride—for ACC programs. In a landscape where realignment, NIL, and the transfer portal dominate headlines, academic success remains a foundational pillar of what college football should represent.