10 Largest Schools with Esports Programs

With more than 170 member schools, the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) has kept pace with the rise of collegiate esports. Since forming in 2016, the organization says that more than 94% of all varsity esports programs in the U.S. are members, with an ever-increasing number of schools exploring esports. Today, we would like to tell you about 10 of these schools. Some are NACE members, while others are heading in that direction.

Besides their esports programs, what makes these schools special is the number of students they serve each year. With around 750,000 students combined, these institutions have the world’s largest built-in audiences and support systems for their growing esports programs. This makes the 10 largest schools with esports programs some of the heaviest hitters in collegiate esports. Let’s take a look.

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
Student Population: 100,000+
Games: Fortnite, DOTA 2, Overwatch, Rocket League
Esports Scholarships: Merit-Based Scholarships Available
Degrees, Majors: 350+
Game Design Program: Yes

Arizona State University enrolled more than 100,000 students for the first time in the 2017-2018 school year, up from 71,946 in 2016. The school has a very active esports program that competes at the collegiate level. Under the direction of the ASU Esports Association, the competitive video gaming club has competed in tournaments, winning the Tespa Heroes of the Dorm tournament in 2016. The club beat out University of Texas at Arlington in the grand finals, garnering a first-place prize pool of $375,000 in tuition.

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Today, the club has teams in DOTA 2, Overwatch, CS:GO, R6: Siege, PUBG, LOL, Rocket League, HOTS, Hearthstone, SMITE, and Fortnite. The club says Overwatch, is “really big” in Arizona, with many high ranked players at ASU who compete at a high level. While the association welcomes players of all levels, it plans to continue expanding all of its elite teams.

ASU Esports is a member of the Pacific Alliance of Gamers (PACG) and it has a Tespa chapter with 626 members and 166 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: BS, MS Graphic Information Technology, BS, MS Computer Science, BS, MS Software Engineering, BA, BS, MA, PhD Mathematics, BS Computational Mathematical Sciences, Computer Gaming Certificate

Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
Student Population: 100,000+
Games: League of Legends, Overwatch, Fortnite, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
Esports Scholarships: Merit-Based Scholarships Available
Degrees, Majors: 600+
Game Design Program: Yes

According to Liberty Champion News, the growth of Liberty University Esports has been rapid since its inception in November 2017. As a special division of the schools Gaming Club, Liberty Esports has more than 125 members, and competes in eight different games with 15 different teams. The program even has its own sponsor—Savage Apparel. In addition to the Esports Club, Liberty University has a Tespa chapter with 250 members and 51 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: BS in Information Technology (BS IT): Gaming Design

Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona
Student Population: 95,500+
Games: Fortnite, Hearthstone, League of Legends, Overwatch
Esports Scholarships: Yes
Degrees, Majors: 200+
Game Design Program: Yes

Grand Canyon University’s (GCU) Esports program had more than 900 student members participating in Fall 2018 across the student-led organization and intramurals. Per the school, “the program supports a community that fosters competitive spirit while encouraging lighthearted social entertainment. Fielding nearly 100 students as collegiate players across more than 17 teams, GCU Esports participates in over ten major titles including Overwatch, League of Legends, Hearthstone, Fortnite, and many more.”

Outfitted with 36 high-end gaming PCs alongside a selection of the latest console releases, the GCU Esports Arena serves as the central hub for casual and competitive gaming. After a successful first year of operation and community growth, the facility reopened in Fall 2019 with the expansion of a redesigned lounge, expanded console section, and more than 70 gaming PCs. GCU Esports is a member of NACE and the schools Tespa chapter has 144 members and 51 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: BS Computer Science Emphasis Game and Simulation Development, BA Digital Design Emphasis Animation

Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, New Hampshire
Student Population: 93,000+
Games: Fortnite, Hearthstone, League of Legends, Overwatch
Esports Scholarships: Yes
Degrees, Majors: 200+
Game Design Program: Yes

With more than 93,000 students, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has one of the largest student populations in the country, so it’s not surprising that the school launched New Hampshire’s first competitive esports program in 2018. The program was also one of the first in New England, with teams competing in local, regional and national competitions.

A member of the East Coast Conference (ECC) and NACE, SNHU is one of the few schools that offers gamer-specific housing. Student-gamers will have the opportunity to live with their fellow esports enthusiasts in a 48-student, pod-style housing arrangement on the third floor of SNHU’s Hampton Hall, located right in the heart of campus. Esports housing at SNHU was designed for student-gamers who want to eat, sleep and breathe esports.

Game Design Programs: BA Game Art & Development, BS Game Programming & Development, BS Computer Science, BS Mechanical Engineering, BA Graphic Design & Media Arts

The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Student Population: 68,100
Games: Hearthstone, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League
Esports Scholarships: Yes
Degrees, Majors: 200+
Game Design Program: Yes

The Ohio State University (OSU), one of the country’s most prominent athletic powerhouses, has a 750 member gaming organization known as the Buckeye Gaming Collective. The school also has a new undergraduate major in esports and game design that has already grown to 40 students, an integrated curriculum involving five colleges, and research initiatives designed to bolster gaming performance. And just last month, OSU opened a brand new esports arena equipped with 80 gaming computers, consoles and virtual reality systems for competitive gaming along with a broadcast booth for students to refine their commentary on game play.

As arena operations undergo the last rounds of testing, open tryouts for team gamers, coaches and analysts are underway. Those trying out say they are eager to wear team jerseys to represent Ohio State and compete against other schools. In the meantime, OSU’s Tespa chapter has 592 members and 141 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: BS Computer Science and Engineering, BA, BS Computer and Information Science, BFA, MFA Art, Emphasis Art and Technology, BS Design - Visual Communication Design, MFA - Digital Animation and Interactive Media (DAIM) Track

University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
Student Population: 66,183
Games: Open to All
Esports Scholarships: Merit-Based Scholarships Available
Degrees, Majors: 200+
Game Design Program: Yes

With 66,183 students, University of Central Florida (UCF) is the largest university by enrollment in Florida. The schools Gaming Knights became an official member of the UCF Sport Clubs Council in 2018 after merging two older clubs. Since then, the team has competed in collegiate tournaments, winning a regional title at the Collegiate Rocket League Southern Conference along with thousands in prize money. The Gaming Knights have a Tespa chapter, which serves 488 members and 158 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: BA Digital Media game Design Track, MA Digital Media, MS Interactive Entertainment

University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
Student Population: 59,379
Games: League of Legends, Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm
Esports Scholarships: Merit-Based Scholarships Available
Degrees, Majors: 200+
Game Design Program: Yes

With nearly 59,400 students across multiple campuses, the University of Maryland (UMD) is the largest university in both the state and the Washington metropolitan area. The school has an active esports team that competes in games such as League of Legends, Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm. The UMD League of Legends team (UMD LOL) is sponsored by REI Systems and has already competed alongside 300+ teams, ranking #8 in an ESPN Esports College League of Legends Coaches Poll. UMD also won first place in the 2018 Big Ten Championship and placed third in the 2018 College Championship.

University of Maryland is home to a Tespa chapter with nearly 400 members and 129 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: BS Computer Science, BS Computer Engineering, BS Mathematics

Florida International University, Miami, Florida
Student Population: 56,851
Games: Fortnite, Hearthstone, Overwatch, Rocket League
Esports Scholarships: Merit-Based Scholarships Available
Degrees, Majors: 250+
Game Design Program: Yes

With 56,851 students, Florida International University (FIU) is among the top 10 largest universities in the nation and the largest in South Florida. The school is home to the Esports Club (The Panthers), who compete at the collegiate level in games such as Fortnite, Hearthstone, Overwatch, and Rocket League. Student-gamers, who have already competed in numerous tournaments, plan to further expand their club to new members and compete in out-of-state competitions. In the meantime, FIU has a Tespa chapter with 292 members and 70 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: BA, BS, MS, PhD Computer Science, BS, MS Computer Engineering, BS Mathematical Sciences – Computer Science

Georgia State University, Atlanta Georgia
Student Population: 53,000+
Games: League of Legends, Brawlhalla, Overwatch, Paladins, SMITE, Hearthstone, Dragonball Fighter Z
Esports Scholarships: Yes
Degrees, Majors: 250
Game Design Program: Yes

Founded in 2017, Georgia State University’s (GSU) varsity esports program participates with other Georgia academic institutions in the Georgia Esports League (GEL) and is among the more than 170 colleges and universities nationwide participating in NACE. Team members are eligible to earn scholarships, and are expected to maintain high scholastic performance.

Esports at Georgia State is administered through the university’s Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII), which continues to increase the tournament’s production quality and foster exciting game play. GSU has a Tespa chapter with 186 members and 37 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) Game Design and Development or Media Entrepreneurship, AS, BS, MS, PhD Computer Science

University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Student Population: 51,832
Games: League of Legends, Hearthstone
Esports Scholarships: Merit-Based Scholarships Available
Degrees, Majors: Nearly 400
Game Design Program: Yes

With one of the largest student populations in the nation and located at the center of the second largest concentration of game studios in the nation, University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) houses the largest competitive gaming organization in the state. Longhorn Gaming represents UT Austin at intercollegiate competitions and the club regularly hosts large LAN events where members gather to play their favorite console, tabletop, TCG, and PC games, as well as other activities. UT Austin has a Tespa chapter with 1,030 members and 213 competitive teams.

Game Design Programs: BS Arts and Entertainment Technologies (AET) Emphasis Areas: Game Design, Digital Visualization, Projection, Lighting and Interactivity (PLAI), Music and Sound, BS, BA, Bachelor of Science Arts (BSA) Computer Science Game Development Concentration