Think of it like varsity football or basketball, but with high-end PCs instead of helmets. We’re talking about official, school-sanctioned teams that have professional coaches, dedicated training facilities (arenas), and mandatory study halls.

Most of these programs fall under the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), which governs everything from eligibility to tournament structures. The "club" days of kids playing in a basement are mostly over; today’s varsity gamers are athletes who represent their universities in national broadcasts.

For years, the standard parenting advice was to "get off the computer and touch grass." While we still love grass, the reality of 2025 is that gaming is a legitimate pathway to higher education and high-paying careers in STEM, broadcast production, and digital management.

Colleges aren't just looking for kids who are good at clicking; they are looking for team players, strategic thinkers, and disciplined students. Because these programs are varsity-level, students usually have to maintain a solid GPA (often 2.5 to 3.0+) to keep their funding. It’s the ultimate "carrot" for a teen who might otherwise struggle to stay motivated in the classroom.

Learn more about the benefits of competitive gaming

Not every game gets you a check. If your kid is a master of a single-player RPG, that’s great for their imagination, but not for the bank account. The money is in team-based, competitive titles.

Currently the king of collegiate shooters. It requires intense communication and tactical planning. Most NACE schools have a VALORANT roster.

The "old guard" of esports. It’s incredibly complex—think of it as high-speed chess with 140+ characters. This game has some of the most established scholarship pipelines in the world.

"Soccar"—soccer with rocket-powered cars. It’s the most parent-friendly esport because it’s easy to understand and has zero violence. It’s a staple in almost every collegiate program.

A "hero shooter" that emphasizes specific roles (Tank, Damage, Support). While its popularity fluctuates, it remains a "Core Four" game for recruitment.

The primary "fighting game" in the collegiate space. It’s often played as a 1v1 or "crew battle," and it’s a huge draw for smaller schools looking to build a community.

If you have a middle schooler who is already "cracked" at VALORANT, you might be tempted to let them go all-in. But balance is key.

Read our guide on managing screen time for teens

Here is the no-BS part: Getting an esports scholarship is just as hard as getting a soccer scholarship.

Being "pretty good" isn't enough. To get the $6k+ awards, a student usually needs to be in the top 1% to 3% of the global player base.

If your teen realizes they aren't going to be a pro player, don't let them delete the game just yet. Many esports scholarships are now being offered for behind-the-scenes roles:

Schools like Harrisburg University and UC Irvine are leaders here, proving that the "esports" umbrella covers a lot more than just holding a controller.

Instead of asking "Are you winning?", try asking questions that align with recruitment:

By framing it as a collegiate pursuit, you shift the dynamic from "you're wasting time" to "you're developing a skill." This also gives you the leverage to say, "If you want to play for a college team, you need the GPA to get into that college first."

Ask our chatbot for a list of colleges with esports programs

Is your kid’s gaming habit going to pay for a full ride at Harvard? Probably not (Ivy Leagues don't really do athletic scholarships anyway).

But could it shave $5,000 off a tuition bill at a great state school or a specialized tech university? Absolutely.

Esports provides a community for kids who might not fit into traditional sports, and it teaches them the exact kind of digital literacy and remote collaboration skills that the 2026 job market is screaming for. If they’re going to play anyway, you might as well help them point that controller toward a degree.

Check out our full guide on esports for beginners