Whether you’re an athlete or just a fan of the sport, college football is a major draw that many students value for the competition, excitement, and pride that it brings to them as members of their institution. For students that value this, it’s important to find a school that has a strong football culture and performs at a high level. To help students find the right option, we researched and reviewed the best colleges for football in the United States.
- University of Georgia
- Temple University
- Colorado State University
- San Diego State University
- Ohio State University
- Clemson University
- The University of Texas at Austin
- The University of Alabama
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Florida
- University of Notre Dame
- Pennsylvania State University
- University of Michigan
- Auburn University
- University of Washington
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
- The University of Tennessee
- University of Southern California
- Texas A&M University-College Station
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Why This Matters
Football is the most popular sport in the United States, and this popularity isn’t just limited to professional football. College football plays an important part in the college experience for many students.
Student athletes value colleges that prioritize football as it gives them the opportunity to compete at a high level while pursuing higher education, and fans of the sport value football schools for the camaraderie and school pride that they instill.
Participating in college football, be it as an athlete or fan, gives students the opportunity to represent their school, connect with other students, and partake in high-stakes national competitions. Many view college sports, and football in particular, as an essential aspect of the college experience, making it all the more important to consider attending a school that offers a high-level football program in addition to prestigious educational opportunities.
Our Ranking Criteria
To create our list, we researched over 90 universities across the United States based on information available online and on the schools’ websites. After analyzing factors like tuition, degree paths, enrollment numbers, football program success, and other criteria, we narrowed our list to the top 20 best football colleges in the country.
The 20 Best Football Colleges
University of Georgia
Home to the Georgia Bulldogs, the University of Georgia boasts one of the most popular and successful college football programs in the country. Georgia claims two national championships and 14 conference championships. As members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Bulldogs compete against major rivals like Auburn University and the University of Florida. The school’s strong football culture is shown by the tradition in which first-year students are required to learn the “Call the Dawgs” team cheer during orientation before being allowed to eat at the school’s dining hall.
- Location: Athens, GA
- Intelligent Score: 99.94
- Average Tuition: In-state: $9,790 per year; Out-of-state: $28,830 per year
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 37,565
Temple University
The Temple Owls have a long history of success in college football with two conference titles, three division titles, and three bowl wins to their name. Playing in the American Athletic Conference, the Owls have long-standing rivalries with Penn State and Villanova. In an effort to continue promoting its storied football program, Temple University is planning to build an on-campus football stadium. Students that want to immerse themselves in the school’s football culture can join the Cherry Crusade, a group of students who paint themselves in Temple colors, make signs, and lead cheers at Temple football games.
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Intelligent Score: 97.88
- Average Tuition: In-state: $16,080 – $22,632 per year; Out-of-state: $28,992 – $37,608 per year
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Student Enrollment: 32,275
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is home to the Colorado State Rams which competes in the Mountain West Conference against rivals like the University of Colorado and the University of Wyoming. The school recently completed the construction of a new on-campus stadium to strengthen its football culture and encourage students to get involved in its football activities. With 15 conference titles, the school has a long history of success. Students can join the official student spirit group of the CSU Rams, Ram Ruckus, to show their support and participate in the weekly ‘Get Your Green On’ celebration which encourages students to wear green to show school pride.
- Location: Fort Collins, CO
- Intelligent Score: 97.61
- Average Tuition: In-state: $12,432 per year; Out-of-state: $31,712 per year
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 23,322
San Diego State University
On top of its prestigious academic programs and great location, San Diego State University boasts a successful football program and an enthusiastic football culture. The San Diego State Aztecs lay claim to 21 conference championships and three national championships. The school practices several traditions that allow students to get involved, including the Warrior Walk in which students accompany the football team and marching band on a walk to the stadium. SDSU is also planning to open a new on-campus football stadium by 2022, making it even easier for students to attend football games and show their support.
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Intelligent Score: 95.64
- Average Tuition: $8,136 per year
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 29,838
Ohio State University
If you’re looking for the ultimate college football experience, it’s hard to beat Ohio State University. The Ohio State Buckeyes compete in the Big Ten Conference and hold one of the strongest rivalries in American sports with the University of Michigan Wolverines. In 2019, the NCAA found that Ohio State had an average home attendance of 103,383 fans. The Buckeyes have eight national championships, 38 conference titles, and have gone undefeated in 10 seasons. The school also has some of college football’s most memorable traditions, including the “Script Ohio” marching band performance and the Victory Bell, which is rung after every home win.
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Intelligent Score: 94.15
- Average Tuition: In-state: $11,518 per year; Out-of-state: $33,502 per year
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 53,025
Clemson University
Clemson University students enjoy a variety of popular game day traditions that instill a sense of school pride, including the First Friday Parade and the Alma Mater Salute. Since its inception in 1896, the Clemson Tigers have amassed over 700 wins, 21 conference championships, and several divisional titles. The on-campus stadium seats over 81,000 fans and is known colloquially as “Death Valley” thanks to the team’s incredible winning percentage (76%) at the stadium.
- Location: Clemson, SC
- Intelligent Score: 94.05
- Average Tuition: In-state: $14,118 per year; Out-of-state: $37,110 per year
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 24,324
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is known for its exceptional academic programs and its celebrated football team. The Texas Longhorns are part of the Big 12 Conference and are part of one of college football’s most infamous rivalries with Texas A&M. The Longhorns hold 32 conference championships and four national titles, and students enjoy popular game day traditions like the singing of “The Eyes of Texas.” The team’s home stadium can seat over 100,000 and hosts over 90,000 fans per game on average.
- Location: Austin, TX
- Intelligent Score: 93.38
- Average Tuition: In-state: $10,858 – $13,576 per year; Out-of-state: $38,650 – $46,498 per year
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 47,021
The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama has one of the most successful track records in college football history, with 18 national titles and 32 conference titles. Coached by Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide have produced several successful NFL players and two Heisman winners. Students enjoy participating in the school’s long-standing rivalries with major universities like Auburn, LSU, Tennessee, Clemson, and Ole Miss.
- Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Intelligent Score: 93.30
- n: In-state: $10,780 per year; Out-of-state: $30,250 per year
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 31,533
University of Oklahoma
Home to the Oklahoma Sooners, the University of Oklahoma has an incredibly successful football program with one of the most passionate fan bases in the country. With seven national titles, the Sooners have more national championships than any other Big 12 team. Every year, the team participates in the Red River Showdown against its rival, the University of Texas, at the Cotton Bowl. Home football games are a major aspect of on-campus life as most students make it a point to attend as many home games as possible throughout the year.
- Location: Norman, OK
- Intelligent Score: 91.93
- Average Tuition: In-state: $12,788 per year; Out-of-state: $28,169 per year
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 20,302
University of Florida
With three national titles and eight conference titles, the University of Florida Gators have established themselves as one of the most successful programs in the SEC. Known to students as “The Swamp,” the Gators play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, which is one of the largest college football stadiums in the country. The team adorns its iconic blue and orange colors, and students partake in popular traditions such as singing “We Are The Boys” between the third and the fourth quarter of all games.
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Intelligent Score: 91.88
- Average Tuition: In-state: $6,380 per year; Out-of-state: $22,278 per year
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 48,280
University of Notre Dame
Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, the University of Notre Dame is a great option for students that want to immerse themselves in their school’s football culture. With 13 national titles, the Fighting Irish have one of the most successful track records in college football history. The school hosts pep rallies on Fridays before every Saturday home game, and games at the Notre Dame Stadium are regularly sold out as students show up in droves to support their team.
- Location: Notre Dame, IN
- Intelligent Score: 91.09
- Average Tuition: $58,843 per year
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 12,323
Pennsylvania State University
Football is a significant part of the culture at Penn State. Students even go so far as to form a tent village known as Nittanyville as they camp outside of Beaver Stadium to be the first in line to get tickets to home games. The Nittany Lions play in the Big Ten Conference and have won two national championships and four conference titles. With a seating capacity of over 106,000, Beaver Stadium is the fourth largest stadium in the world and serves as a testament to the importance Penn State places on its football program.
- Location: University Park, PA
- Intelligent Score: 90.93
- Average Tuition: In-state:$17,920 per year; Out-of-state: $34,984 per year
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Student Enrollment: 44,704
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan hosts the Michigan Wolverines, one of college football’s most celebrated teams. The Wolverines are known to have an incredibly enthusiastic fan base, with the team regularly breaking home game attendance records. The team’s stadium, known as “The Big House,” is the largest in the United States, surpassing Notre Dame’s stadium with a capacity of over 107,000. Every year, students look forward to “The Game” — a matchup between Michigan and its biggest rival, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Intelligent Score: 90.07
- Average Tuition: In-state: $15,948.38 per year; Out-of-state: $52,266.38 per year
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 40,995
Auburn University
Auburn University is known to be one of the country’s best football colleges due to its popular traditions, great attendance, and success over the past several decades. Not only do home games regularly sell out, but students are known to travel with the team around the country to show their support on the road. The Auburn Tigers have won five national titles and 16 conference titles since the program began in 1892.
- Location: Auburn, AL
- Intelligent Score: 89.51
- Average Tuition: In-state: $5,898 per semester; Out-of-state: $15,978 per semester
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 25,846
University of Washington
The University of Washington’s football team is known for holding the record for the longest streak in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision at 64 consecutive games. The Huskies play at the Husky Stadium, which sits on Lake Washington, and students enjoy the unique tradition of sailgating, in which they tailgate in boats on the lake during home games. UW Seattle is a great choice for students that want to be part of a winning football culture.
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Intelligent Score: 89.44
- Average Tuition: In-state: $11,745 per year; Out-of-state: $39,114 per year
- Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Student Enrollment: 51,269
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
LSU students are incredibly passionate about their football program, which is shown by their willingness to travel around the country to support the Tigers on the road. During the 2019 season, nearly 1.3 million LSU fans attended home and away games. With a record of 812–416–47, the LSU Tigers are one of the winningest teams in college football history, and students enjoy intense rivalries against teams like the Auburn Tigers and Ole Miss.
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Intelligent Score: 89.42
- Average Tuition: In-state: $11,962 per year; Out-of-state: $28,639 per year
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Stuent Enrollment: 26,417
The University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee’s football program has enjoyed a long history of success with six national championships and an all-time record of 857–409–56. The school has produced NFL legends like Peyton Manning, and the Volunteers play in one of the country’s largest stadiums, Neyland Stadium. Home games kick off with the team and marching band storming the field to form the letter “T,” and students show up to home games dressed in the team’s iconic orange and white colors to show their support.
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Intelligent Score: 89.35
- Average Tuition: In-state: $13,264 per year; Out-of-state: $31,684 per year
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 26,731
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is one of the most prestigious schools in the country and has one of the nation’s best football programs to go along with it. The USC Trojans play in the Pac-12 Conference and face major rivals like Notre Dame and UCLA. The team claims 11 national titles at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in front of one of the most energized crowds in college football.
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Intelligent Score: 88.02
- Average Tuition: $60,446 per year
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 41,497
Texas A&M University-College Station
Texas A&M stands neck and neck with the University of Texas as one of the best football schools in Texas. Playing in the SEC, the Aggies hold tense rivalries with LSU, UT, Texas Tech, and Baylor, and the team has a long history of winning with an all-time record of 758–487–48. Aggies fans call themselves the 12th Man in reference to their strong support of the 11 players on the field.
- Location: College Station, TX
- Intelligent Score: 86.96
- Average Tuition: In-state: $13,012 per year; Out-of-state: $40,896 per year
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Student Enrollment: 56,200
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Wisconsin-Madison first introduced its football program in 1896, and since then it has seen great success, with three national titles and 14 conference titles. The Wisconsin Badgers have produced two Heisman winners and several NFL players. The team plays at Camp Randall Stadium, and after every home game, win or lose, the fans enjoy the 5th Quarter tradition, in which they sing, dance, and cheer with the band to songs like ‘On, Wisconsin.’
- Location: Madison, WI
- Intelligent Score: 86.49
- Average Tuition: In-state: $10,766 per year; Out-of-state: $38,654 per year
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Student Enrollment: 39,906
What Are the Benefits of Attending a Football College?
One of the greatest aspects of attending a top football college is the pride and enthusiasm that students get to share with their friends and fellow fans throughout their college experience. Beyond the games themselves, students are able to enjoy pep rallies, tailgating events, and other traditions. On top of receiving a high-quality college education, the football colleges on our list give students the opportunity to socialize with others and enjoy the competitive atmosphere that college football is famous for.
Who Should Attend a Football College?
Any student that is passionate about college sports and football would benefit from attending a top football college. Attending a football college gives student athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level and take the next step toward their dreams of becoming famous athletes, and sports fans benefit from the excitement, competition, and memorable experiences of attending college football games. As many of the country’s best football colleges are also known for their strong academic programs, students don’t have to worry about sacrificing a quality education, either.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.