![The Complete Guide to Esports in College: Everything You Need to Know [2024]](https://ivypanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/young-gamer-having-fun-with-action-video-games-competition-playing-online-game-championship-caucasian-woman-enjoying-rpg-play-tournament-live-stream-gaming-modern-computer-704x372.jpg)
Attention, gamers! Do you want to become rich and famous simply by playing your favorite video games? Look no further than esports!
Today, esports is a multimillion-dollar industry that attracts countless fans. You can even get an esports degree and start a full-time career. Indeed, esports has unlimited potential!
This article by Ivy Panda experts will tell you all about playing esports in college. We will look at how to rise through the ranks in professional gaming, how to enter a college team, and much more. This comprehensive guide is a must-read for students, parents, teachers, and those interested in esports as a whole.
🖥️ What Is Esports & Why Is It Popular?
In a nutshell, esports is competitive multiplayer gaming between two or more teams. It’s similar to soccer or any other sport. There are coaches, tournaments, and devoted fans. Esports even has its own “stadiums.” Instead of giant arenas, these competitions are streamed on platforms such as YouTube or Twitch.
Since its inception in the 20th century, gaming has become a major part of our culture. People play games and watch esports events even in the remotest places on our planet. Today, the video game industry is bigger than the music and movie industries combined. Think about it: there are movies and books based on games and games based on books and movies!
Statistics show that 400 million people worldwide are interested in esports and gaming. Since 2020, the global gaming market has grown by 23.1%. And it will only continue to gain momentum.
It’s no wonder many teens and young adults want to become professional gamers. Esports celebrities earn big money and become famous all over the world. Do you want to be one of them? Keep reading!
Esports vs. Gaming: What’s the Difference?
As you probably know, gaming refers to playing video games on a PC, console, or any other device. Is esports the same as gaming, then? Well, not exactly.
You see, esports is gaming, but not all gaming is esports. The main characteristic that distinguishes esports is competitiveness. It requires 2 or more people who play against each other, unlike the games you can play alone.
We can call esports a child of gaming. In the 1970s, video games first received a competitive mod, which kickstarted esports development. However, it was in the 2000s that more people got access to the Internet. That’s when the concept of enormous crowds and high prize pools gained appeal. And the rest is history.
Top 10 Examples of Esports Games in College
Countless games fit for esports, but not all of them are popular enough to have their own big tournaments. If you plan to join a college team, you need to know which games and genres are trending. No worries: we studied them for you, and you can check them out below.
Here’s what games are played in college esports in 2024:
✨ Unexpected Benefits of Esports for Students and Schools
If fame and money aren’t things you’re after, esports has many other things to offer!
Here are its benefits for students:
But that’s not all of it—there are also many benefits for schools:
What Do the Critics Say?
Unfortunately, esports is not without its critics. Despite all the progress, video games and their enthusiasts are still widely stigmatized. In some countries, politicians and activists even want gaming banned. There are many reasons for this attitude:
❌ Video games can cause addiction and health issues.
Not everyone can stop playing when they need to. This causes many people to get addicted to gaming, which leads to detrimental effects. In addition, sitting in a chair and staring at a bright monitor all day is bad for your eyes and spine.
❌ Some video games promote harmful stereotypes.
Many modern games are inclusive, but not all are like that. Some of them (especially older ones) can be stereotypical in terms of racial and sexual imagery.
❌ Cyberbullying.
Esports is a highly competitive environment, and unfortunately, some players resort to bullying and harassment to gain an advantage. You can avoid this by turning off the chat, blocking the toxic person, or reporting bullies for inappropriate behavior.
So, Should You Play Esports in College?
Why not? There are many more advantages than disadvantages. Besides, most problems described above can be prevented.
As a gamer, it’s crucial to prioritize your health and well-being in addition to your skills. If you do that, you can enjoy esports without any unnecessary difficulties. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
And most importantly: esports doesn’t oblige you to anything. You are free to quit it whenever you like. Try it and decide for yourself!
🔝15 College Varsity Esports Programs to Choose From
The easiest way to start an esports career is to sign up for your local esports college program. It will allow you to join a team and participate in tournaments. Let’s see which accredited colleges host esports events and have their own teams.
Colleges with Esports Teams in the US
If you’re not from the US, don’t be discouraged! There are also plenty of esports-supporting universities in England and Canada. Check them out below:
Colleges with Esports Teams in Canada
Colleges with Esports Teams in England
College Majors for Esports Gamers
While there are no specific majors that are exclusively designed for esports gamers, there are several fields of study that can be beneficial for those interested in an esports career. If you’re a big fan of competitive gaming and haven’t picked your major yet, here are some of our suggestions:
- Computer Animation. Animation is a core part of creating video games. You’ll learn how to make characters move and perform various actions. This sets you up for a career in the videogame industry, working at famous game-developing companies!
- Graphic or Interactive Media Design. If you’re a creative person, consider getting into graphic design. You’ll learn how level design is created and how to draw video game characters, locations, and items.
- Esports Management. If tech stuff doesn’t inspire you, we recommend getting into esports management. It’s not only about hosting various events: you will also learn how to create marketing strategies and commercials for games and manage top events like Gamescom or E3.
- Software Engineering. This vast industry includes building your perfect gaming PC and creating programs in languages like Python or Java.
- Video Game Development. Here, you will learn how to make levels, scripts, and quests through programming languages. Later, you’ll be able to work for your favorite companies: Rockstar, Blizzard, Bethesda, and others.
🎓 Getting into College Esports Programs
With the rising popularity of esports, many colleges and universities are now offering esports programs, allowing students to hone their skills and compete at a collegiate level.
But getting into a college esports program can be challenging, especially if you’re unsure where to start. That’s where we come in. In this section, we’ll explore everything you need to know to kickstart your journey into college esports programs. Let’s dive in!
Choose a Suitable Esports Program
Enrolling in esports is not as easy as it may seem. Make sure to choose your future study program very carefully:
What to Include in Your Application
After you’ve chosen a suitable program, it’s time to show the college’s admissions team your gaming expertise. Follow this roadmap:
- Copy your gaming profiles from various platforms. Collect them into a CV.
- Enumerate which games you are best at and how many hours you have spent in each one.
- If you’ve already gotten acquainted with the college’s esports coaches or team members, tell them about your plans and ask them to vouch for you, if possible.
- We highly recommend you add a highlight reel to your portfolio. A highlight reel is a selection of video clips that illustrate your gaming skills (similar to “Play of the Game” in Overwatch or Dota.)
- To enter any college, you’ll need to write an admission essay, and esports is no exception. Just make sure not to dedicate the entirety of the text to your gaming achievements. You have plenty of other strengths—showcase them! You want to show that you are good at other things alongside gaming. Don’t forget you’re applying to college, so you’re supposed to be a good student and not just a gamer.
💡 Quick Tip
Sometimes esports teams look for a pro to fit a specific role. For example, they may agree to take you on if you’re an excellent healer or damage dealer. So, if you’re especially good at some roles, be sure to make it known!
What Makes a Great Candidate
The commission will analyze everything that you present them, so it’s good to know what they’re after in the first place. Here are the main qualities of an ideal candidate:
Remember that different colleges and esports programs may prioritize other qualities based on their specific needs and goals.
Busting the Myths about College Esports Recruiting
People have a lot of false assumptions about college esports and the recruiting process. You may have already heard some of them. Well, we’re here to disprove them! Let’s look at the most prominent ones below:
- Assumption №1: Grades don’t matter.
❌ False!
Just as soccer players have to pass their grades check before enrolling in a college team, esports is no exception. A certain GPA will be required for your acceptance. Without that, the commission will likely decline your candidacy. - Assumption №2: Esports coaches and team members only want super-pros.
❌ False!
Finding so many professionals is nearly impossible. The main thing coaches and team members want is for you to be able to learn quickly and handle stress. In addition, they want those who can cooperate and listen to the coach’s guidance. - Assumption №3: Esports in college are different from esports in general. There are too many rules and restrictions.
❌ False!
The only difference between playing with your friends on Discord and with your college team is the level of skill required. Esports in college is still about having fun. Generally, there are no strict rules or harsh regulations. - Assumption №4: If I become an esports player, my studies must wait.
❌ False!
As we’ve said before: colleges want you to study. Even your coach understands that you’ll fail and be expelled if you have too little time for learning. Don’t worry; they will give you enough time for studying and esports.
College Esports Scholarships
Perhaps the most satisfying thing about esports is that you can actually make money playing video games! If this sounds exciting to you, then make sure to read this section till the end.
The main thing that you should aim for is securing esports scholarships. To do so, you’ll need to enter a college or university’s esports team and start winning competitions. If you show potential, your college will be more motivated to keep you on their team and offer you a scholarship. The amounts vary from one college to another.
Here are the top 5 scholarships for you to consider:
🎮 How to Start a Career in Esports
Esports is a major industry. Beyond gamers, there are marketing specialists, advertisers, critics, developers, designers, and many other career prospects. As an industry, esports has experienced tremendous growth in the last decade. The global esports market was valued at $1.22 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to a whopping $5.48 billion by 2029!
If you’re considering starting a professional esports career, check out what we have for you in this next segment.
1. Choose a Suitable Career
Here’s a list of possible careers that are associated with esports. We’ve also included some jobs close to the industry but not directly connected to the gaming process. Which one sounds like the best fit for you?
2. Start by Becoming a Streamer
Streaming is a great way to start an esports career. If you’re already a streamer, you have a big advantage over other gamers.
- Streamers are usually good at gaming and know how to make exciting content. This makes them an asset in any esports team.
- In addition to that, streaming can also give a significant boost to your media career. Even if you don’t have thousands of viewers, you’ll have higher chances of being invited to prestigious esports events.
Best Gear for Streaming
We’ve compiled this list of tried-and-tested favorites to help you with the gear required for quality streaming. These items are not obligatory (except for the PC, of course,) but having them at your disposal will make your content more professional.
- A gaming PC or console.
Generally, if we’re talking about a good gaming PC build, it should at least have an Intel core i5-i9, GeForce 1600 or higher, and 8 GB or higher RAM. It would cost you around $800—$1000. Here’s a hint: if you can build a PC from scratch, the price drops by about half.
The brands we recommend: MSI, Asus Rog - A professional microphone.
Nothing is more irritating than hissing sounds coming from a cheap microphone. If you want your viewers to appreciate your voice, be sure to buy a quality mic. It should cost you around $100—$500.
The brands we recommend: Razer, Blue Yeti - A good camera.
In most cases, your integrated PC camera won’t do the trick. If you want your streams to look nice, buy a movable camera. A good camera will add a professional tone to your streams and allow your viewers to see your reactions. It will cost around $200.
The brands we recommend: Logitech Brio, Razer Kiyo - A professional light stand.
This one is not a necessity, but it can make your content look more professional. It should cost you around $50. Here’s another hint: if you don’t use a camera, you won’t need any lights at all.
The brands we recommend: Sensyne, UBeesize
3. Participate in Tournaments
If you’re going to start a career in esports, you’ll be participating in various tournaments, so why not start attending them right now? There, you can make friends with other gamers, esports athletes, coaches, and even sponsors!
We also highly recommend taking the first step and signing up for a tournament. Set yourself on winning the prize, or at least make sure to show everyone what you’re made of.
Your first tournament will most likely be grassroots. Still, it will be best to come prepared because even local matches have very motivated participants. If you succeed in demonstrating your skill, esports officials will likely notice your potential.
4. Expand Your Knowledge
So, you’ve chosen a career for yourself. What now?
At this point, we recommend you start expanding your knowledge about the industry. Here are the main tips to follow:
5. Make a Strong Portfolio
A portfolio plays a major role in any career, and esports is no exception. Be sure to collect records of all your achievements carefully. These include:
- Play of the Game clips.
- Prizes.
- Awards.
- Recommendations.
- Grants and certificates.
- Comments from your fans.
Don’t neglect even the smallest achievements. If they seem insignificant to you, they may still be of value.
💡 Quick Tip
If you’re a seasoned gamer, then make a list of your top 10 biggest achievements. Provide proof, such as screenshots or links to your gaming profiles. Visualize this data in a colorful presentation with explanatory comments.
🤔 Are Esports Degrees Worthwhile?
The last thing we’d like to discuss is having a degree in esports. It’s a debatable topic among gamers, so it’s necessary to address it.
Many professional gamers have an esports degree. Alongside that, we also can’t deny that if you’re devoted and ambitious, you may surpass any of them in your skill without having any professional education. So, what should you do?
Well, your decision will ultimately depend on several factors. To see what’s best for you, try answering these questions:
All in all, the decision depends on your career goals and personal interests. A degree is worth having if you’re passionate about esports and want to pursue a career in the industry. It will provide valuable knowledge and skills and improve your chances of getting a job. However, make sure to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
🎁 BONUS: How to Start an Esports Team at College
If your school doesn’t have a strong gaming culture, or if other teams already have enough members, why not start your own team? It will give you a bunch of benefits, allow you to participate in tournaments, and potentially make your school famous in esports!
Here’s how to create an esports team from scratch:
Now you know all about playing esports at college. We hope that you enjoyed our article! What are your thoughts on esports? Do you want to try it, or are you already a seasoned player? Tell us in the comments!
🔗 References
- What is eSports? A Look at an Explosive Billion-Dollar Industry: CNN
- Esports Part 1: What are Esports?: Harvard University
- eSports: Investopedia
- What is Esports?: The University of Oklahoma
- The Growing Trend of Esports: Why 2023 is Going to be a Massive year for Esports: Medium
- History of Esports – About Us: Illinois University Edwardsville
- Esports Are Being Taught in Schools. Could They Give Students Useful Workplace Skills?: World Economic Forum
- Esports: The Future of Engaging Education: Acer
- Benefits of Bringing an Esports Club to Your School: Adorama
- Esports Careers: How to Gain an Edge in a Quickly Growing Industry: Johnson & Wales University
- A College Degree in Esports? Yes!: Verizon
- Esports as a Degree: LinkedIn
- Colleges Are Starting Degrees in Esports, with $36,000 Programs: CBS News
- Esports Degree: ‘I Won’t Spend Three Years Playing Games’: BBC
- Why Esports in Schools Is a Good Thing: ViewSonic
- The Most Valuable Esports Companies 2022: Forbes
- Top 15 eSports Teams, Earnings, and Salaries: Influencer Marketing Hub
- eSports: Could It Become more Popular than the Real Thing?: Euronews
- Should Universities Be Recruiting For Esports?: New York University
- Esports Ecosystem in 2023: Key Industry Companies, Viewership Growth Trends, and Market Revenue Stats: Insider Intelligence
- How the Esports Industry Can Accelerate Audience Growth: Morning Consult
![Your First Year of College: How to Prepare & Be Successful [+ Infographic]](https://ivypanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/shocked-fuuny-young-female-wonk-stares-notebook-carries-pen-has-piles-papers-workplace-wears-spectacles-striped-clothes-309x208.jpg)