The Big 12 might not have the academic reputation of the ACC or Big Ten, but don't sleep on its football programs when it comes to the classroom. The latest NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) rankings reveal some eye-opening numbers—and a few surprises—across the conference.

Four Big 12 programs now rank among the top 25 nationally in APR, up from just three last year, with another team landing in the top 35. That's a solid showing for a league often known more for its high-octane offenses than its report cards. But it's not all good news: a few schools are dangerously close to the postseason eligibility threshold, and that's where things get interesting.

For the uninitiated, the APR measures how well student-athletes are progressing academically, factoring in both eligibility and retention each term. Think of it as a GPA for the entire football program. The magic number? 930. Fall below that four-year average, and you're looking at a postseason ban—just ask Akron, which became the first program since 2014 to get that dreaded call. For teams sitting at 5-7, APR can even be the tiebreaker that decides who gets a bowl bid. So yes, it matters more than you might think.

Here's how every Big 12 football team stacks up in the latest APR data, which now includes the four-year average from the 2021-22 through 2024-25 school years. We've also noted how each program compares to last year's ranking.

BYU saw a slight dip this year, but don't let that fool you. Kalani Sitake has built a perennial top-15 program, and the Cougars are poised to contend for the Big 12 title once again. A small academic stumble won't slow them down on the field.

Houston, on the other hand, made a massive leap. The Cougars climbed out of the Big 12 basement and put serious distance between themselves and the postseason cutoff line. With a double-digit win season under Willie Fritz, Houston is shaping up to be one of the conference's title favorites heading into 2026.

And then there's Colorado. Head coach Deion Sanders has made academics a priority since day one, and it's showing. The Buffaloes are proving that you can win on Saturdays and in the classroom—a combination that resonates with recruits and fans alike.

Whether your team is climbing the APR ladder or just trying to stay above water, one thing is clear: academic progress is becoming a bigger part of the Big 12 story. And for fans, that's just one more reason to be proud of your program's jersey.