Top 10 U.S. Schools Excelling in Football and in the Classroom

College football is a billion dollar industry and NCAA Division I is the highest level of competition, but that does not mean every player goes to the NFL.

In fact, the vast majority will go on to careers outside of football, meaning most student-athletes will use their athletic scholarships for educational purposes.

According to USA Today, College Factual has compiled a list of the top 10 schools that boast a strong football team and give their student-athletes an exceptional education.

CLICK HERE for College Factual's methodology in this list.

1. Vanderbilt University

Mascot: Commodores

Athletic conference: SEC

Academic highlights: 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 87 percent on-time graduation rate, ethnic and geographic diversity.

2. University of Notre Dame

Mascot: Fighting Irish

Athletic conference: Independent

Academic highlights: 89 percent on-time graduation rate, CF's 10th-best university, 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

3. Ohio State University

Mascot: Buckeyes

Athletic conference: Big Ten

Academic highlights: Coach Urban Meyer brings alumni, CEOs and others from the business industry to meet with the team every spring.

4. Auburn University

Mascot: Tigers

Athletic conference: SEC

Academic highlights: Terrific in-state tuition value at $20,000 or less.

5. Duke University

Mascot: Blue Devils

Athletic conference: ACC

Academic highlights: 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 87 percent on-time graduation rate.

6. University of Miami

Mascot: Hurricanes

Athletic conference: ACC

Academic highlights: Ethnic diversity, 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

7. Clemson University

Mascot: Tigers

Athletic conference: ACC

Academic highlights: In-state tuition is $18,000 or less, quiet and rural campus.

8. University of Alabama

Mascot: Crimson Tide

Athletic conference: SEC

Academic highlights: 57 percent of students are in-state, very solid business school.

9. Stanford University

Mascot: Cardinal

Athletic conference: Pac-12

Academic highlights: 80 percent on-time graduation rate, one of the best U.S. schools as ranked by several publications.

10. Michigan State University

Mascot: Spartans

Athletic conference: Big Ten

Academic highlights: 89 percent in-state students who pay $20,000 or less in tuition, graduates earn an average of $40,000 in starting salary.