INDIANAPOLIS -- According to data released this week by the NCAA, eight of the PacWest schools recorded above average graduation rates from the 2012-13 freshman cohort, led by Point Loma Nazarene University, where 82 percent of student-athletes graduated within six years.

Point Loma and Biola were tied for the conference's best academic success rate at 96 percent, compared to the national average of 73 percent. The two schools are tied for fourth best in the nation with Hillsdale, Regis, Rollins and Puerto Rico Bayamon. Dominican is right behind with a 95 percent academic success rate as a total of six PacWest schools had an academic success rate of 80 percent or better.

At 10 of the 12 PacWest institutions, student-athletes graduated at a higher rate than the overall student body. At Azusa Pacific, Fresno Pacific and Biola, each school had a freshman graduation rate of 71 percent. At Fresno Pacific, 81 percent of student-athletes from the 2012-13 freshman cohort have graduated.