For Hardcore Gamers Only...

A few questions to start: have you ever self-identified as a gamer? Do acronyms like AFK, HUD, and LAN have significance to you? Are you so good at your favorite game that your friends don't even want to play with you anymore?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then congratulations, because your search for the perfect college just got a whole lot easier (and a lot more fun). At College Rover, we've compiled a list of schools with competitive Esports teams and a gamer-friendly atmosphere, and even one or two with Esports scholarships. If you're one of those hardcore gamers, then read on, but be warned: these schools are not for gamers faint of heart.

The List

Miami University

Oxford, Ohio's Miami University may be a gamer paradise, but be warned: these guys aren't messing around. As the country's first D1 Varsity Esports Team, they've racked up title after title in games like Hearthstone, Overwatch, League of Legends, and Valorant, and have even been named the nation's best college Esports program.

If you're serious about a future in professional Esports, applying to Miami University seems like a no-brainer. As application season rolls around, spend some time sharpening your instincts in your favorite game, and you might just be one of the next D1 student athletes spending their time crushing it on the virtual battlefield.

Maryville University

Located in the great midwestern city of St. Louis, Missouri, Maryville University consistently ranks as one of the country's best Esports teams. Four-time national champions, they split their program into two groups: a varsity team for hardcore, nationally ranked competitors, and the community club for talented gamers who want a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Maryville University is also rightfully proud of their Esports Performance Center. This space, built to accommodate the university's many top gamers, features top-of-the-line PCs, lag-less internet connections, and even a dedicated lounge area and dining space so that competitors can stay at peak performance. One thing's for certain about Maryville University: they care about their gamers.

University of California, Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is one of the country's greatest innovators in Esports as the first public institution in the country to create an Esports program. Like a few other schools on this list, they have scholarship programs for top gamers in a few select games like League of Legends and Overwatch, but even if you're not the best of the best, there are plenty of ways to get involved. From providing color commentary for the school's gaming livestreams on Twitch to research into the emerging new industry, UC Irvine wants you to be a part of their Esports community.

On top of this, UC Irvine is uniquely committed to bringing their students into the games industry, getting around 40 students per year hired in positions in the industry. UC Irvine is a great place to be if you're a top competitor in your game of choice, but it's also the perfect next step if you want to pursue a career in the broader world of video games and Esports.

Illinois State University

Illinois State University's Varsity Redbird Esports team is no joke. They were trailblazers in the state of Illinois as the state's first public institution to have a legit Esports team, and you better believe they take that honor seriously. To show their commitment to Esports as an exciting new venue in sports and competition, Illinois State University is building a new state-of-the-art Esports Arena to serve as the home base of operations for all future Redbird Esports events.

They play tons of the top games right now, so wherever you like to go beast-mode is surely welcome. Whether it's Fortnite, Rocket League, CS:GO, MTG, the old classic Super Smash Bros, or many more, they've got you covered. Plus, if they somehow don't have your game of choice, there's sure to be a student club that specializes in it.

Sacred Heart University, Fairfield

Fairfield, Connecticut's Sacred Heart University has a great Esports team competitive in a range of popular games like Dota 2, Madden, CS:GO, Rainbow Six Siege, and many more, but they've got a little extra spice in the tank. See, at Sacred Heart University, they take Esports very, very seriously, and their radically forward-thinking Esports Minor sets them apart from the crowd.

This minor is pitched as a way for students interested in Esports to engage with this dynamic and exciting new field in competitive sports, learning everything you need to know from editing together videos of killer Smash Bros three-stocks (yeah, we like to game a little bit too…) to planning live Esports events. SHU means business, and their business is gaming.

Hawaii Pacific University

While gamers aren't necessarily known for their love of the sun, a few years in gorgeous Honolulu might just change that. Hawaii Pacific University, located in downtown Honolulu, is a gorgeous campus that takes competitive gaming seriously, especially when it comes to League of Legends. If you're a beast at League of Legends, Hawaii Pacific University wants you on their roster. How does up to $6000 in scholarships sound?

That's right, HPU offers scholarship money to prospective students who can win them titles on the competitive League of Legends circuit. While the selection of games that HPU's Esports team focuses on is narrower than other school's, their commitment to League of Legends gives them an edge. If that's your game of choice (and you don't mind wearing a little sunscreen), apply to HPU today.

University of Oregon, Eugene

At the University of Oregon, Eugene, they want gamers of all stripes to feel welcomed and included. That's why they have the cozy and lovingly-designed Esports Lounge in Erb Memorial Union (EMU for short). With cutouts of the Pacific Northwest's trademark green trees lining the walls and a host of gaming PCs, consoles, and giant HD TVs, the Esports Lounge feels designed for competitive gaming in luxury.

But this space isn't just for pro-gamers. They want you to know that this space is for the casual as much as the pro, and if you're just looking to catch a friendly game or two of Rocket League between classes, the Esports Lounge is the perfect place to go. Their selection of competitive games is smaller than some of the other schools', but their commitment to a comfortable and high-tech space for gaming makes this a more than even trade.

FAQ

Which school has the best Esports team in the country?

It's not as easy to answer this as you might think. Miami University in Ohio and Maryville University in Missouri frequently rank very high in these discussions due to their strong performance in various competitions (both schools' teams have taken home numerous trophies and national championships), but that's not the only metric to consider. As with anything in this process, it's more about finding what's right for you than what's "the best."

Can I still compete even if I'm not the best-of-the-best?

Of course! School's with strong Esports teams also usually have smaller scale, more casual clubs for less intense or practiced gamers. These clubs have competitive events like tournaments but can be much more open. If you love the heat of competition while gaming but don't quite have the skills to play on the varsity team, these clubs are a perfect way to stay in the game.

What if the school's team doesn't compete in my favorite game?

Different schools compete in different games, and some schools have much larger rosters than others, so if your game of choice has a thriving competitive scene, there's sure to be a school that services that need. And if your school doesn't have your favorite game, you can always start or join an official student organization based around it! And who knows: if you work at it, those student organizations could someday turn into another game on the team's competition roster.

How College Rover Can Help

As much as we sympathize with the all-powerful need to game, we also know that that's not the only thing you look at when applying to college. There's a million factors at play, and it can be daunting. At College Rover, we've made the process of comparing schools as easy as clicking a few buttons. You can compare colleges side-by-side using only the data points you care about, streamlining the whole process and giving you more time to hone your skills. Give yourself a well-deserved break and visit our website today!