Esports scholarships in 2025: How gaming can put you through school

With the esports industry being worth around $4 billion in 2025 and millions of players competing across different titles from VALORANT to Rocket League, it’s no surprise that young gamers are asking the question: Can gaming pay for college, and do scholarships for esports exist?

The short answer is yes, there are many esports scholarships available in 2025, with over 300 collegiate esports programs across North America now offering financial support for those competing at the varsity level. Many of these can range from $1,000 per year to a complete full-ride scholarship, covering all tuition fees. 

If you want to learn more about esports scholarships, Esports Insider has got you covered with all the up-to-date information for 2025. 

In a nutshell, esports scholarships are financial awards given by universities or sponsors to elite competitive gamers to compete at the varsity level – similar to traditional sports scholarships. Some are cash bonuses to help with general living expenses, while some are full-ride esports scholarships that cover everything from tuition to college fees and more 

These esports scholarships can last for one year only or extend up to four years for undergraduate students. To maintain their funding, students must meet specific requirements, which we’ll explain further below. 

In return, students will represent the school’s esports teams in leagues, tournaments, or other organised play. The esports games most commonly tied to scholarships include: 

Some schools and organisations may provide esports scholarships for other titles like Marvel Rivals or Hearthstone, but the ones listed above are by far the most popular.

Here’s a list of major schools that offer esports scholarships*. Many of these universities and high schools are members of the National Associate of Collegiate Esports (NACE), the largest governing body for varsity esports programs in North America. The North American Esports Coaches and Directors Association (NAECAD) also helps standardise coaching practices, scouting, and student development across programs.

*This information is taken from StayPluggedIn. Please be aware this may change as scholarships get filled up or become unavailable. 

Esports scholarships aren’t just handed out to anyone with a decent KDA – you’ve got to have the legit skills to back it up. Like traditional sports scholarships, they’ll come with academic and athletic expectations to prove you’re committed to both the classroom and the grind. 

Every school is different, but most university programs require the following: 

Having a higher grade can also boost your chances of qualifying for additional academic or merit-based funding – sometimes even full-ride esports scholarships if you’re truly a standout. 

When applying for esports scholarships, you may also be asked to submit additional information like transcripts, previous gameplay recordings, letters of recommendation, or a short personal statement. Some schools may even hold tryout sessions or interviews before offering slots on their rosters. 

From a gameplay perspective, casual players likely won’t make the cut. Depending on the game involved, here are the kinds of ranks most programs are looking for: 

If the particular school or college doesn’t list their exact requirements, it’s always worth emailing their esports department to see what their scholarship standards are. Many teams will review prospective varsity players on a case-by-case basis instead of having set baselines. 

But remember, ranks alone won’t land you an automatic scholarship, Coaches may look for existing competitive experience to make sure you don’t crumble under the pressure. This includes local LANs, high school leagues, online tournaments, and even prior team play.

Things like shot-calling, communication, and adaptability matter just as much as your mechanical skill. If you can prove you’re a team player with a solid record, you’ll stand out. 

Esports scholarships are generally lower than merit-based scholarships, although they can still be quite generous – especially if you’re particularly skilled. The exact amount depends on the school and the program, as well as your own performance. 

For example, Baker College’s maximum award varies based on rankings – Level 1 covers tuition, housing, student, and program fees, while Level 20 covers 50% of the above. 

In the U.S., the average esports scholarship sits between $1,000 and $6,000 per year. Schools like UC Irvine and UT Dallas all fall into this range, offering awards that help offset tuition and housing costs. 

Alongside monetary awards, students are provided full access to their esports facilities, coaches, and staff. Most universities come fully geared out with top-line PCs and gaming equipment. For example, George Fox University is equipped with 30 gaming stations with Intel i7 CPUs and 3060RTX GeForce GPUs, along with MSI mechanical keyboards and headsets to ensure their players are competing at the highest level possible. 

It’s quite common to combine esports scholarships with academic or merit-based funding, which can cover a large chunk – or even all – of your college costs. 

There are some private institutions and specialised esports colleges that offer full-ride esports scholarships, although these are much harder to obtain than traditional sports scholarships. These larger packages often fully cover tuition, accommodation, and travel, as well as stipends for living expenses or bonuses based on team performance in collegiate leagues. 

Outside of North America, countries like the UK and Canada are catching up. The University of Roehampton in the UK offers esports university scholarships of £1,500-£2,000 per year and even has a specific “Women in Esports Scholarship” to champion inclusivity in competitive gaming. 

While esports scholarships might not match traditional ones dollar-for-dollar, they can still significantly reduce your college debt, especially if you can combine them with other forms of financial aid. 

If you’re a skilled player with a passion for competition, esports scholarships can absolutely be worth it – and not just financially.

The real value lies in what comes alongside the scholarship. You’ll gain access to coaching, high-end gaming equipment, funded tournament travel, and structured team support. All of these elements will aid your development as a professional player. 

Getting a scholarship also opens you up to a whole world of potential esports careers beyond just pro play. Many programs offer academic tracks in game development, broadcasting, business, journalism, or digital media. Some schools even have partnerships with big esports orgs and brands, offering internship opportunities and esports job pipelines directly into the industry after graduation, even if you don’t go pro. 

Landing an esports scholarship isn’t just about having a high rank or MLG aim at your favourite game. You’ll need to balance brains with gameplay and take it seriously. For most of these programs, they’ll expect you to put in the work, maintain your GPA, and commit a solid chunk of your time to practice with scrims, boot camps, and training. 

But if you’re willing to put in the work, these scholarships could potentially be a legitimate launchpad, not just for your education, but for a career in the esports industry. It’s not all fun and games – but it can be your future.