Esports in College: What You Need to Know for 2027
If you’ve spent years gaming, you may be wondering: Can you play esports in college?
Yes. You can play esports in college through varsity teams, club teams, and recreational gaming programs. Some varsity programs have coaches, structured competition, dedicated esports facilities, and scholarship opportunities. The details vary by college and game, so check each school’s current esports program before applying.
If esports matters to your college search, look for a school that supports your game and offers the level of competition you want. Then compare academics, estimated cost, financial aid, location, and campus life to make sure the college is a good overall fit.
To help explain what collegiate esports can look like, we spoke with Dr. Joey Gawrysiak, Executive Director of Esports at Syracuse University. His perspective offers a look at how colleges are connecting competitive gaming with academics, hands-on learning, and career preparation.
The TL;DR
Yes, you can play esports in college. Colleges offer varsity esports, club teams, and recreational gaming, and some varsity programs offer scholarships.
Here’s what to know before you add an esports school to your college list:
- Check your game. Not every college esports program supports every game, so verify the school’s current lineup.
- Know the team type. Find out whether your game is offered at the varsity, club, or recreational level.
- Learn how players join. Recruiting, tryouts, player evaluations, and application processes vary by college and game.
- Ask about scholarships. Some colleges offer esports scholarships, but award amounts and requirements vary.
- You don’t need an esports major. You can study computer science, business, communications, design, or another field while playing esports.
- Compare the whole college. Look at your intended major, estimated net price, financial aid, location, campus life, and admission options alongside the esports program.
- Start with three schools. Compare the game lineup, team structure, recruiting process, scholarship information, academics, and estimated cost for three colleges you’re considering.
What is esports in college?
College esports is organized competitive gaming at a college or university. Students may compete on varsity teams, join club teams, or participate in recreational gaming organizations and events.
Varsity and club esports can have different structures and resources.
Some varsity programs also offer scholarships. Scholarship amounts, eligibility, renewal requirements, tryouts, recruiting processes, practice schedules, travel, supported games, and other program resources vary by college.
College esports can also extend beyond playing games. Depending on the school, students may gain experience in broadcasting, communications, event production, business, technology, content creation, or media.
As Joey Gawrysiak explained to Appily,
“Collegiate esports programs are growing, especially at larger institutions. Schools want to provide engaging experiences for students while developing the next generation of workers for the burgeoning esports industry.”
That broader focus can matter if you enjoy gaming but are also thinking about what you want to study, what skills you want to build, and what you may want to do after college.
How big is college esports?
There is no single authoritative count of every college esports program because varsity teams, clubs, leagues, and recreational gaming can be organized through different colleges and competition providers.
The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), an association of varsity collegiate esports programs, supports more than 150 member institutions and over 4,000 student-athletes. Those figures describe NACE’s membership, not every college, team, or student participating in collegiate esports.
College esports is broader than NACE alone. Students can also compete through other collegiate leagues, conferences, club organizations, open competitions, and recreational programs.
For students choosing a college, the most useful question is not simply how many esports programs exist. It is whether the schools on your list currently offer your game, your preferred level of competition, and the academic and financial experience you want.
What esports games are played in college?
The games offered in college vary by school, competitive organization, and season. There is no universal college esports game lineup.
Examples of games you may see in collegiate esports include:
League of Legends
A team-based multiplayer online battle arena game.
Rocket League
Competitive soccer played with rocket-powered cars.
VALORANT
A tactical first-person shooter focused on precision and team strategy.
Overwatch
A team-based hero shooter built around coordinated play.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
A fighting game with collegiate competition.
Other games may also be available depending on the college and competition.
For example, the official 2026–27 Overwatch Collegiate season includes Open and Varsity competition. Varsity and Academy opportunities are available to NACE member institutions, while Open competition is available more broadly to eligible institutions in the United States and Canada.
Before adding a college to your esports list, confirm three things: whether it currently supports your game, whether the team is varsity or club, and how new players are selected.
How do you get recruited for college esports?
Start with the college’s esports program and find out exactly how it evaluates prospective players.
There is no single recruiting process used by every college esports program. Depending on the school and game, students may be recruited, attend tryouts, submit a prospective-player form, complete an evaluation, or contact program staff directly.
Look for:
- Recruiting information or a prospective-player form
- Tryout dates and requirements
- Coach or program-director contact information
- Current game rosters
- Practice and competition information
- Any requested rankings, clips, statistics, or competitive history
If the program does not explain its process, contact the esports staff directly. Tell them your game, role, relevant experience, and high school graduation year. Ask how prospective students are evaluated and whether there are upcoming recruiting or tryout opportunities.
Copyable email to a college esports program
Subject: Prospective Esports Player – [Game] – [Graduation Year]
Hi [Coach/Program Director],
My name is [Name], and I’m a [grade] at [high school]. I’m interested in attending [College] and competing in [Game].
I currently play [role/position]. My relevant experience includes [team, league, tournament, ranking, or other experience].
I’d like to learn more about your [Game] program and how prospective students can participate in recruiting or tryouts. Are there any upcoming opportunities or materials you recommend I submit?
Thank you,
[Name]
[Optional contact information]
You don’t need to describe yourself as a professional gamer. Give the program accurate information about your experience and follow its instructions about what to submit.
Can you get a scholarship for esports in college?
Yes, some colleges offer esports scholarships, but scholarships are not available through every esports program. Award amounts, eligibility requirements, renewal rules, and eligible games or rosters depend on the college.
Before including an esports scholarship in your college budget, ask:
- How much is the scholarship worth?
- Is it renewable each year?
- What academic or team requirements must I meet to keep it?
- Do I have to remain on a specific varsity roster?
- Does the scholarship apply to my game?
- Can I combine it with other institutional or outside aid?
Use the college’s current esports and financial aid information to verify the terms of an award.
Most importantly, compare the esports scholarship with your estimated net price and, once you are admitted, your complete financial aid offer. A larger esports scholarship does not automatically mean a college will cost you less overall.
Do you have to major in esports to play college esports?
No. You do not need to major in esports to play esports in college. You can choose a major based on your academic and career goals while participating on an esports team or in a gaming club.
If gaming interests you as a career as well as an extracurricular activity, consider what part of the industry you actually want to work in.
Compare actual courses, projects, internships, experiential learning opportunities, and portfolio requirements rather than choosing a major based on its title alone.
Video game development
Game development programs may cover programming, game engines, game design, testing, interactive systems, and related technical skills.
Look for programs that let you complete substantial projects and build a portfolio you can use when applying for internships or jobs.
Graphic, digital, or interactive media design
Design-focused programs can prepare students to create visual and interactive experiences for games and other digital products.
Depending on the program, coursework may include visual communication, user experience, animation, digital media, web design, or interactive design. Review the curriculum and portfolio opportunities before applying.
Software engineering or computer science
Computer science and software engineering can prepare students for technical work related to games and technology.
Depending on the program, you may study programming, algorithms, software development, artificial intelligence, data, or interactive technologies. These degrees can also prepare students for careers outside the gaming industry.
Computer animation and digital arts
Animation and digital arts programs may fit students interested in characters, environments, visual effects, motion graphics, or other digital content.
Look for opportunities to complete projects, learn relevant software and production skills, and build a portfolio for internships or jobs.
Esports management and communications
Some colleges offer academic programs specifically related to esports.
For example, Syracuse University currently offers a B.S. in Esports Communications and Management jointly through the David B. Falk College of Sport and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Its current program information lists three tracks: Esports Business and Management, Esports Communications, and Esports Media and Design. Coursework connects esports with areas such as event management, broadcasting and production, communications, content creation, entrepreneurship, and visual and media design.
The right major depends on what you want to learn and do. Someone interested in game development may choose computer science or a game-development program, while a student interested in broadcasting, events, design, communications, or team operations may choose a different path.
What are the benefits of playing esports in college?
College esports can give students a competitive community while creating opportunities to practice teamwork, communication, leadership, and other skills outside the classroom.
Depending on the program, students may:
- Build community by practicing and competing with students who share their interests.
- Practice teamwork and communication through coordinated competition.
- Gain hands-on experience through events, broadcasting, content creation, leadership, or student organizations.
- Explore career interests by connecting esports with computer science, communications, business, media, design, and sport management.
The experience varies significantly by program. When comparing colleges, ask what students actually do beyond competing. Look for opportunities to run events, produce broadcasts, lead organizations, complete projects, find internships, or build a portfolio.
Gawrysiak also emphasizes the educational side of collegiate esports.
“Collegiate esports provides a dynamic opportunity for students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a field that continues to grow. The future is bright as we continue to think about esports beyond gaming and competition to prioritize academics, hands-on learning, and networking.”
Esports should also fit into the rest of your college experience. Make room for academics, sleep, physical activity, friendships, and other interests rather than assuming that more time gaming automatically creates a better college experience.
How do you choose a college for esports?
Choose a college for esports by comparing the gaming program with academics, affordability, admission options, and campus life.
A college can have an impressive esports facility and still be the wrong school for your intended major, budget, location preferences, or overall college experience.
Use these eight questions to compare schools:
1. Does the college offer varsity esports, club esports, or both?
Find out how the program is organized and what options are available to students who do not make a varsity roster.
2. Does the college currently support your game?
Check the program’s current roster, game lineup, and competition schedule. Do not assume every esports program offers every major competitive game.
3. How do students make the team?
Look for tryout dates, recruiting information, prospective-player forms, evaluation requirements, and deadlines.
4. Are esports scholarships available?
Verify the current award amount, eligibility rules, renewal requirements, and eligible games directly with the college.
5. What does the esports program provide?
Compare practice spaces, equipment, coaching and staff support, tournaments, travel, broadcasting, events, and other opportunities.
6. Can you study what you want?
Make sure the college offers your intended major. Then compare the courses, projects, internships, experiential learning, and career support available within that program.
7. What will the college actually cost?
Before you have a financial aid offer, use each college’s Net Price Calculator to estimate what students with financial circumstances similar to yours may pay after grants and scholarships.
Once you are admitted, compare your actual financial aid offers and remaining costs. Look at tuition and fees, housing and food, grants, scholarships, and what you would still need to pay or borrow.
Do not choose a college based on an esports scholarship without looking at the complete financial picture. A larger scholarship does not necessarily mean a lower net price.
8. Would you still want to attend if esports changed?
Teams, coaches, supported games, and competitive opportunities can change while you are in college.
Ask yourself whether you would still be comfortable with the school’s academics, cost, location, campus culture, housing, support services, and other opportunities if your esports experience changed.
How do you find colleges with esports programs?
Start with colleges that fit your academic and financial priorities, then verify their esports opportunities on each school’s official website.
Here’s a six-step process.
Step 1: Define what you need
Write down:
- The game you play
- Whether you want varsity, club, or recreational competition
- Your intended major
- Your college budget
- Preferred locations
- Campus size or setting preferences
- Whether an esports scholarship is important to you
Step 2: Build a starting college list
Look for colleges that match your academic, financial, and campus preferences. Esports can then become another factor you use to narrow the list.
Step 3: Search each college’s official website
Search for the college name plus terms such as:
- “esports”
- “[your game] esports”
- “esports recruiting”
- “esports tryouts”
- “esports scholarship”
Confirm whether the opportunity is varsity, club, or recreational.
Step 4: Verify your game and how students join
Check the current roster or competition schedule to make sure the college still supports your game.
Then find out whether players are recruited, attend tryouts, submit a form, or use another evaluation process.
Step 5: Verify scholarships and estimated cost separately
Check both the esports program and the college’s financial aid information. If a scholarship is advertised, confirm its current amount, eligibility requirements, and renewal terms before counting on that money.
Use the college’s Net Price Calculator while you are building your list. Later, if you are admitted, compare the college’s actual financial aid offer with its total costs.
Step 6: Compare the whole college
Once you’ve identified colleges that offer your game, compare the rest of the college experience too.
Look at your intended major, estimated net price, admission options, location, campus environment, student support, and what you would want from the college even if your esports plans changed.
What should you do next?
Pick three colleges you are considering and compare them side by side.
For each school, record:
- Your game and whether it is currently offered
- Varsity, club, or recreational status
- Recruiting or tryout process
- Scholarship availability and requirements
- Your intended major
- Estimated net price
- Financial aid information
- Location and campus environment
- What you like about the college beyond esports
Then save the schools that meet your priorities and continue comparing them as colleges, not just esports programs.
Your esports experience can be an important part of college. Give it a place in your search alongside your major, affordability, admission options, and the kind of campus experience you want.
With a free Appily account, you can build and save a college list while comparing factors such as majors, cost, location, and admission information. Then visit each college’s official esports site to verify your game, team level, recruiting or tryout process, and any scholarship opportunities. You can also use Appily’s scholarship search tools as you plan how to pay for college.
FAQs about college esports
Can you get a scholarship for esports in college?
Yes, some colleges offer esports scholarships, but not every program does. Scholarship availability, amounts, eligibility, eligible teams or games, and renewal rules vary by school.
Verify the current terms with the college before including an esports award in your budget. Then compare the scholarship with the college’s estimated net price and your eventual financial aid offer.
Do you have to be a professional gamer to play esports in college?
No. College esports includes different levels of competition, and each program sets its own recruiting and tryout requirements.
Check the school’s current information to see what experience, ranking, competitive history, or other materials it expects from prospective players.
How do you get recruited for college esports?
Check the college esports program’s recruiting or tryout process first. Look for prospective-player forms, tryout dates, coach or director contact information, and requirements for your game.
If the process is unclear, contact the program directly and ask how prospective students are evaluated.
Can you play esports and major in something unrelated to gaming?
Yes. Playing esports does not require you to major in esports.
Choose a major that fits your academic and career goals, then participate in esports as a varsity player, club member, or other campus activity if those opportunities are available.
Is college esports the same as NCAA athletics?
No. College esports is not currently an NCAA championship sport. The NCAA’s current sport-sponsorship information lists esports separately under “Other,” rather than among its championship or emerging sports.
A college may be an NCAA member for its traditional athletics programs while organizing esports separately through a varsity esports program, college department, student organization, conference, NACE, or another competition provider.
When researching a college, check its esports website to see exactly how the program is organized rather than assuming it follows the same structure as NCAA sports.
Should I choose a college just because it has a strong esports program?
Esports should be one part of your college decision. Compare the esports opportunity with your intended major, estimated cost and financial aid, admission options, location, campus life, and other priorities.
A useful test is to ask: Would I still want to attend this college if my game, roster status, coach, or esports program changed?
What should I ask an esports program before applying?
Ask:
- Which games do you currently support?
- Is my game varsity, club, or recreational?
- How do prospective students join or try out?
- When are recruiting and tryout dates?
- Are scholarships available for my game?
- What are the scholarship renewal requirements?
- How often does the team practice and compete?
- Does competition require travel?
- What coaching, equipment, and facilities are available?
- Can students get involved in broadcasting, events, content, or program operations?
- How does the program help players balance esports and academics?
