The NCAA has recognized more than 1,300 programs from 321 schools including 23 programs from HBCUs for academic excellence after they scored in the top 10% of their sports in the most recent Academic Progress Rate results.

The APR is an annual scorecard of academic achievement calculated for all Division I sports teams.

It measures eligibility, graduation and retention each semester or academic term and provides a picture of the ongoing academic performance for each team in every sport. All teams must meet an academic threshold of 930 to qualify for the postseason and can face penalties for continued low academic performance.

Alcorn State, Jackson State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff led the list of HBCUs with three teams each.

Sixteen teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference joined five teams from the Mid-Easteern Athletic Conference in receiving the honor. HBCU independent Hampton, now a member of the Big South Conference, had two teams to make the list.