Esports in College: What You Need to Know (2025)

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If you’ve spent years gaming and following the industry, it’s only natural to wonder—can I take this to the next level in college? More schools than ever are investing in esports with varsity teams, scholarships, and even degree programs. But how realistic is choosing a school based on its esports program?

We’re breaking it down for you with the help of Dr. Joey Gawrysiak, Executive Director of Esports Communications and Management at Syracuse University. This program is a partnership between the Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.

The Newhouse School is known for its excellence in media production and sports communications, while Falk is at the forefront of sports management education—it had the first undergraduate degree in sports analytics and one of the earliest programs in sports management.

So, let's dive in now.

What is esports in college?

Schools with varsity esports programs provide professional coaches, recruit athletes, offer scholarships, and have state-of-the-art facilities where student-athletes and clubs can practice and compete. Truly, esports is treated much like any other varsity collegiate sport.

Students in esports programs play against each other through various leagues, tournaments, and events. This setup allows them to have fun doing what they love while earning degrees and scholarships. They can also be part of a thriving community, meeting other students with similar interests and building their networks.

But collegiate esports has evolved into more than just competitive gaming. It's now a structured part of higher education with a complete intertwining of esports and academics.

"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," explains Joey Gawrysiak. Esports engages learners where other activities have not. Coupled with the growing presence of esports programs in high schools, enthusiasts now see a path to college where there might not have otherwise been."

This shift is making esports a sustainable and long-term offering at colleges nationwide.

How big is esports in college?

As of 2024, the global esports market is valued at approximately $2.22 billion and is projected to reach $6.51 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual rate of 24.0%. Sponsorships currently command the biggest slice of that pie, with advertising, media, merchandise, and ticketing rounding out the rest.

The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is the largest membership association dedicated to advancing varsity collegiate esports. As of the latest data, the NACE comprises over 260 member schools across the U.S. and Canada. Of course, this number is only growing as more colleges recognize the value of esports—not just for student recruitment but as a lasting part of campus life.

What esports games are played in college?

The games played in college esports evolve constantly, but here are some of the biggest titles right now:

League of Legends – One of the longest-running and most competitive MOBA games in collegiate esports.
Overwatch 2 – A fast-paced, hero-based shooter where teamwork is everything.
Rocket League – Soccer, but with rocket-powered cars. Enough said.
Valorant – A tactical first-person shooter with precise gunplay and team strategy.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – The go-to Nintendo fighting game that’s a favorite in campus esports clubs.

These games represent a blend of genres, including MOBA, first-person shooters, and fighting games, reflecting the diverse interests of the collegiate esports community.

College majors for gamers

Whether you want to one day work in the competitive gaming industry or just enjoy playing with like-minded people, there are plenty of options to find the perfect major while playing esports in college.

Video Game Development

Learn to code and design games for multiple platforms using languages like C++, Unity, and JavaScript. Classes typically cover AI, VR, and game testing—giving you hands-on experience before graduation. This major could create opportunities for work with companies like Rockstar Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Activision.

Graphic or Interactive Media Design

This degree might set a student up for a career in video game design, among other things. While video game design and development (mentioned above) are not the same, they are closely related. One focuses on the game's appearance, and the other on creating the game. However, both are common paths for students interested in gaming and esports.

Interactive media designers generally work on web pages, mobile apps, and social media platforms. They may need to learn HTML5 and CSS3. Graphic designers create visual elements for websites, advertisements, brochures, magazines, books, and other materials. A graphic designer must be able to use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and other software programs.

Software Engineering/Computer Science

This study area is one of the most flexible options for students interested in gaming and esports. For example, with a degree in software engineering or computer science, you could decide to work in the video game industry, but you could also work on products in countless other sectors.

This type of major would prepare a student to be a computer system analyst, software test engineer, UX designer, programmer, and more. In a software engineering program, you’d learn different programming languages like C#, Unity3D, HTML5, Python, CSS, JavaScript, and Flash and get exposure to AI, VR, and ML.

Computer Animation

A computer animation degree gives you the skills to create realistic-looking animations for video games, movies, television shows, and more. The best part about studying computer animation is that students usually work on projects from start to finish, which means they get to be creative while learning new skills.

Graduates who study computer animation can find careers working in animation for companies like Walt Disney, Electronic Arts, Nickelodeon, PlayStation, and more, creating video games, movies, and commercials.

Esports Management

For students more interested in the business management side of the industry, there’s the option to major in esports management. Potential careers for students leaving such a program include esports event management, esports marketing, and any other business position within an esports organization.

Classes in esports management align closely with a traditional business management program, but there will usually be 12-15 credit hours of esports-specific courses covering issues like esports governance, events, and merchandising.

However, it's important to remember that the esports industry extends far beyond those listed here.

"We’re seeing more students enter careers in media, public relations, social media, and business operations within esports," says Joey Gawrysiak. One of the most common career paths is running collegiate esports programs themselves, which is an ever growing option as more universities build their esports infrastructure."

Why play esports in college?

If you’re passionate about gaming, joining an esports program can offer benefits beyond casual gaming with friends. By playing esports in college, you can:

Build a strong network – Being on a team gives you a built-in community on campus.
Supports your mental health – College is stressful, and gaming gives you a way to recharge while still feeling connected to a team. Studies show that having a strong community in college can boost overall well-being.
Career opportunities – If you're studying in areas like game design, programming, or media production, esports can complement your education and provide hands-on experience.

When we asked our expert Joey Gawrysiak if he'd recommend interested students learn more about esports in college, he gave us an emphatic yes.

"Collegiate esports provides a dynamic opportunity for students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a field that continues to grow," Joey explained. "The future is bright as we continue to think about esports beyond gaming and competition to prioritize academics, hands-on learning, and networking."

Choosing a college for esports

Finding esports programs shouldn’t be challenging at all. As we mentioned, there are at least 260 NACE member colleges and universities in the country, many with thriving esports programs.

When evaluating these colleges and universities, look at more than just the gaming opportunities. Consider each school's academics, resources, graduation rates, and overall campus life to ensure you'll have a well-rounded college experience. Esports can be a valuable part of college, but it shouldn't be the sole focus.

One way to get started finding your colleges is with a free Appily account, where you can search for and save colleges and universities that match your selection criteria. Then, after sharing your GPA and test scores, you can see your chances of being accepted to each college. You can also search for and save scholarships within your free account.

Just click to get started with Appily. It’s quick and easy.