In a unique power ranking that looks at athletic performance, academic achievement and graduation rates, the UC Davis athletics program ranks 42nd among all National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I programs for 2010.

However, among D-I schools that compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (as opposed to the Football Bowl Subdivision), UC Davis was No. 1 among all universities.

The National Collegiate Scouting Association developed the Collegiate Power Rankings to help prospective student athletes and their families evaluate the particular strengths of the top colleges and universities at the Division I, II and III levels.

Most of the top 50 of the 100 ranked schools in D-I are private institutions.

Stanford earned the top ranking, while Penn State ranked highest among large public Division I schools at No. 11. Other ranked UC campuses: Berkeley (22), Los Angeles (33), Santa Barbara (43) and Irvine (91).

A news release from the National Collegiate Scouting Association described the factors that went into the rankings:

• Student-athlete graduation rates, provided by the NCAA.

• Learfield Sports Directors Cup ratings, which evaluate athletics department strength.

• U.S. News & World Report ratings, recognizing institutions of academic excellence.

Read more about the Collegiate Power Rankings.