University of Phoenix Survey Finds Majority of Americans Believe Professional Athletes Should Earn a College Degree

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New data from University of Phoenix and Morning Consult shows that a majority (57 percent) of Americans believe professional athletes should earn a college degree.1 Because the National Football League (NFL) requires players to be out of high school for at least three years in order to be eligible for the NFL draft,2 collegiate athletes every year must make the choice between leaving college early or staying and earning their degree before declaring their intent to go pro. But some athletes, like Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, have found a way to earn their college degree while playing in the NFL.