Yes, there are colleges and universities that offer esports programs, scholarships, and teams, allowing students to pursue a degree while also competing in esports.
So let us investigate the query more attentively
Yes, it is possible to go to college just for esports. In recent years, esports has become a rapidly growing industry, with competitive video gaming tournaments drawing in millions of viewers and offering lucrative prize pools. As a result, colleges and universities have started to recognize the importance of esports and have begun to offer programs, scholarships, and teams for students interested in pursuing a career in this field.
According to the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), over 170 colleges and universities in the United States offer esports programs. These programs vary in their structure and focus, but they typically offer students the opportunity to compete in esports tournaments while pursuing their degree. Some schools also offer scholarships for esports athletes, and many esports teams are considered official varsity sports at their respective institutions.
In addition, many colleges and universities have started to offer degrees in gaming and esports-related fields, such as game design, esports management, and esports broadcasting. These programs provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the esports industry, whether as players, managers, or broadcasters.
As gaming and esports continue to grow in popularity, it is likely that more colleges and universities will begin to offer esports programs and degrees. As ESPN analyst and former esports player Jacob Wolf notes, “Esports is definitely becoming more mainstream… The growth of the space has been really remarkable and I think it’s just going to continue.”
Table of Colleges and Universities Offering Esports Programs:
| School Name | Location | Esport Program |
|---|---|---|
| Boise State University | Idaho, USA | Game Design and Development, Esports Management |
| University of California | Irvine, USA | Informatics with a focus in Game Science, Esports |
| Ohio State University | Ohio, USA | Game Studies and Esports |
| University of Utah | Utah, USA | Entertainment Arts & Engineering with a focus in Games, Game Development and Design |
| Staffordshire University | Staffordshire, UK | Esports |
| Staffordshire University | Staffordshire, UK | Esports |
Overall, going to college just for esports is now a viable option for many students. Whether their focus is on competitive gaming or pursuing a career in the fast-growing esports industry, there are many opportunities available on campuses around the world.
Here are some other answers to your question
Can you actually go to college for an esport?Choosing a School for Esports Selecting an esports program shouldn’t be difficult at all. As we mentioned, there are at least 170 NACE member colleges and universities in the country, all with growing programs.
In the US, the University of California Irvine, the University of Texas at Arlington, The Ohio State University, the Caldwell University, the George Mason University, the Becker College, the Shenandoah University, the Saint Peter’s University and the Keuka College all offer esports degree programs.
Students interested in the management side of esports may earn a bachelor’s degree in esports management or major in business with a minor or certificate in esports management. Some schools allow students to take on other majors and add a certificate or a minor in esports.
Colleges have taken notice and now offer esports scholarships alongside athletic ones. The concept is relatively new, but there are already 175 U.S. colleges that offer varsity esports programs recognized by the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE).
This video has the solution to your question
The video discusses the pros and cons of pursuing college esports and recommends having a clear career path before committing to a university. The creator also emphasizes the importance of balancing gameplay with career readiness by specializing in management or social media and building a portfolio through internships and projects. While college esports can prepare players for the path to pro, it is not a guarantee, and students will need to continue to prove themselves outside of college esports to catch the attention of professional recruiters. Students should focus on networking opportunities and lower costs, and only avoid college esports scholarships if they have a career interest that requires trade school or if esports is not a cheaper option for pursuing a non-esports career.
I am sure you will be interested in these topics
At what age can you join esports?
Formal Esports Leagues
Some of the top titles in professional esports include CS:GO, DOTA 2, and LoL. The organizers set age requirements at 17 or 18 years, while others set theirs at 13.
Do you need a degree for esports?
In reply to that: In nearly all positions, you need a relevant bachelor’s degree. Common areas of study include marketing, broadcasting, and business. However, for most jobs in esports, your experience is more important. If applicable to your career path, build up a portfolio.
How do you get recruited for college esports?
The answer is: Research the esports programs you are most interested in joining. Most colleges esports programs will have a dedicated esports website, with information about recruiting, staff, and possible club activities. Most colleges will want you to participate in a practice or scrim if they are interested in you as a player.
Can I become a esports player?
The reply will be: There are no courses to become a professional. Basically, you need to practice playing for many hours and analyze how the best players play. However, some academies look for new talents and clubs that train players to represent them in their teams. If you search, you will find many eSports academies.
Which universities offer esports degree programs?
In reply to that: In the US, the University of California Irvine, the University of Texas at Arlington, The Ohio State University, the Caldwell University, the George Mason University, the Becker College, the Shenandoah University, the Saint Peter’s University and the Keuka College all offer esports degree programs.
Will collegiate esports become an extracurricular?
With increasing support from colleges and universities in the form of program investment, scholarships, and continued interest from students, collegiate esports are set to become as normal an extracurricular as sports themselves. Collegiate esports, much like the industry as a whole, has seen growth over the last few years.
Is Columbia College a good school for esports?
Backed by school president Dr. Scott Dalrymple’s willingness to embrace eSports as a varsity sport, as well as continuing to offer partial scholarships to gamers, Columbia College has been able to stay among the top college eSports programs in the country. You can fill out Columbia’s eSports application/questionnaire here.
Can College esports be distilled to ‘kids playing games’?
The response is: If you think about it, every college sport can be distilled to “kids playing games,” as Phil Alexander, a Miami University professor who teaches game design and co-directs the varsity esports team at Miami, said in an interview with Rolling Stone.
Can college students play esports?
As an answer to this: Today, many colleges and universities have esports intramural teams or offer esports degrees. Some institutions even provide scholarships for students to join collegiate esports leagues and compete in esports tournaments that are designed specifically for college-aged students.
Where can I get a degree in eSports Management?
Answer: With such tremendous growth in the industry, demand for skilled esports management teams is at an all-time high, with a number of colleges and universities developing degree programs to help meet the demand; University of California Irvine, The Ohio State University and University of Texas are just a few.
Which universities offer esports scholarships?
Response to this: New York University was also an early provider of esports scholarships. There are at least 170 colleges and universities with esports options in the US and it’s estimated that there is more that $16 million worth of esports college scholarships available.
Will collegiate esports become an extracurricular?
The reply will be: With increasing support from colleges and universities in the form of program investment, scholarships, and continued interest from students, collegiate esports are set to become as normal an extracurricular as sports themselves. Collegiate esports, much like the industry as a whole, has seen growth over the last few years.