Top Universities Offering Esports Scholarships

ng up your education without racking up massive student loans? If you’re an esports player, there are schools where your gaming skills can help pay for your degree. Here’s a close look at some top universities where you can earn scholarships for doing what you love: gaming. Let’s uncover who’s offering what, where you’ll find the best arenas, and which schools have teams playing the biggest titles.

Table of Contents

University of California, Irvine (UCI)

Where esports goes pro

UCI is a heavy hitter in esports, and they’ve proven it over and over again. Not only do they offer some of the most beneficial esports scholarships out there, but their facilities are also next-level. Scholarships at UCI range from $1,000 to $6,000 annually for top gamers. They’re also one of the few places with an actual Esports Arena, a 3,500-square-foot gaming paradise that hosts competitions, practices, and all things esports. UCI’s teams compete in League of Legends, Overwatch, and Super Smash Bros., and they’re ranked among the finest college teams in the country.

Fun Fact:

UCI was one of the first public universities to launch an official esports program in 2015, and they’ve been leading the pack ever since. They’re serious about developing top talent with full-time coaches, health and wellness support, and access to gaming psychologists.

Miami University

Pioneers in collegiate esports

Miami University in Ohio was one of the first top-tier schools to go all-in on esports, making a name for themselves with a varsity program before most schools even had clubs. They offer scholarships to skilled gamers on their teams, which compete in titles like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Overwatch. Their esports program is well-funded and well-organized, with state-of-the-art gaming labs and high-quality streaming setups for live broadcasts of their matches. Miami’s esports players even have personal development support, which includes everything from stress management to handling social media presence.

Fun Fact

Miami University’s esports team was the first-ever National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Overwatch tournament champion! They’re competitive, and they have the trophies to prove it.

Boise State University

Big on community, big on gaming

Boise State University is known for its strong sense of community and school spirit, and its esports program is no different. Boise State’s esports scholarships vary depending on the game and skill level, strongly focusing on growing talent within their community. The university also invested in a dedicated esports arena where students can practice and compete. Their teams participate in games like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Hearthstone.

Fun Fact

Boise State’s esports arena is not only a place for team practice but is also open to all students for casual gaming hours. It’s a true esports hub where campus gamers and varsity players unite.

University of Utah

Taking esports to the next level

One of the significant players in college sports, the University of Utah, has recently jumped into esports with an impressive lineup of games and scholarship support. While they’re relatively new to the game, they’ve already made waves by competing in League of Legends, Hearthstone, and Rocket League. Utah’s scholarships may currently be partial, but they’re growing fast. Plus, with the reputation of their athletic department, they’re building a severe structure for esports on campus. Utah’s program is known for its supportive community and flexibility, which allows students to balance academics and esports commitments.

Fun Fact

The University of Utah is one of the few major sports universities to offer esports scholarships, putting it in a unique position where students can enjoy traditional sports culture and competitive gaming.

Robert Morris University, Illinois

The original esports scholarship pioneers

If there’s one school that kicked off the college esports scholarship trend, it’s Robert Morris University in Illinois. In 2014, RMU became the first university to offer scholarships to esports athletes, covering up to 50% of tuition and room and board. RMU’s teams compete in titles like League of Legends, Overwatch, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and their students have access to coaches and dedicated practice spaces.

Fun Fact

Robert Morris University’s groundbreaking move to offer esports scholarships inspired dozens of schools to follow suit. They’re the original “esports scholarship” university, paving the way for competitive gamers nationwide.

Harrisburg University

Full-rides for esports excellence

Harrisburg University doesn’t just support esports – they go all out, offering full-ride scholarships to their entire esports roster. Yep, you read that right. Every member of their esports team, which competes in games like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Overwatch, receives a full-ride scholarship covering tuition, room, and board. Harrisburg takes its esports program seriously, with intensive coaching and a rigorous practice schedule. Their team is consistently ranked among the top collegiate esports teams.

Fun Fact

Harrisburg University made headlines by being one of the first schools to fund their esports team with full scholarships. It’s no wonder they’ve been a force in college esports ever since.

Maryville University

For the hardcore gamers

Maryville University in Missouri has one of the most competitive esports programs in the country, and they back it up with substantial scholarships for top players. Known for its powerhouse League of Legends team, Maryville has won multiple national titles and is a regular contender in collegiate esports tournaments. Maryville’s program has a clear path for players looking to go pro, offering extensive coaching, strategy, and player development support.

Fun Fact

Maryville’s League of Legends team is so good that they’ve gone toe-to-toe with pro teams and often play against top competition in their off-season. It’s a serious proving ground for any player hoping to go pro.

University of Akron

Esports meets engineering

The University of Akron has a big reputation for STEM, and its esports program reflects the same commitment to excellence. Akron offers varsity players scholarships and has invested heavily in a dedicated esports arena filled with high-performance gaming setups. Akron’s team competes in games like League of Legends, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege. With the university’s focus on tech and engineering, its esports program also emphasizes areas like game analysis, strategy, and even developing new gaming tech.

Fun Fact

Akron’s esports program is closely tied to its engineering school, which means that esports players can collaborate on projects related to game design, strategy, and even developing new gaming hardware.

Stephens College

Leading the way for women in esports

Stephens College in Missouri is the first women’s college to sponsor a varsity esports team. Their scholarship program aims to attract female gamers passionate about esports, with partial scholarships for those who make the team. Stephens College’s team competes in games like Overwatch and League of Legends and provides a supportive environment for women in what’s typically a male-dominated field.

Fun Fact

Stephens College’s esports team is not just about competition; it’s a movement to encourage more women to pursue esports in college and professionally. They’re all about promoting diversity in the gaming world.

Columbia College

Community meets competition

Columbia College in Missouri has been all about esports since it launched its scholarship program in 2016. Its teams compete in League of Legends, Overwatch, and Valorant, and it provides partial scholarships to its varsity players. With a dedicated esports arena and coaching staff, Columbia’s esports program is built on a solid sense of community, making it a welcoming place for local and international players.

Fun Fact

Columbia College is often called the “hidden gem” of esports scholarships. Its program offers plenty of support while remaining close-knit and community-oriented.

How to Get Started With Esports Scholarships

To grab one of these scholarships, here are some pro tips to get on the radar of these colleges:

Build Your Highlight Reel. Get your best plays on video and edit it to about 3-5 minutes. Show your versatility, clutch moments, and teamwork skills.
Research and Reach Out. Identify universities with esports programs that match your skill set and goals, and email the coaches to introduce yourself.
Attend Showcases and Camps. A dozen universities host esports camps and tournaments, flawless ways to showcase your skills in person.
Stay Academic. Don’t let your grades slide. Most schools still require a decent GPA to qualify for esports scholarships, so keep up those academic skills!
Engage on Social Media. Follow these programs, engage with their posts, and build your online profile as a serious esports player.

Esports scholarships are no longer a rare find – they’re a legitimate path to college, with schools competing to attract top gaming talent. So, if you’re ready to turn your skills into a scholarship, these universities could be your ticket to a degree and a future in competitive gaming. Game on!