Esports can provide a gateway to colleges and universities. Colleges are offering scholarships and recruitment for top players in the most popular games. Currently, hundreds of colleges and universities offer tens of millions of dollars in eSports scholarship money. That number grows substantially every year as more and more schools spin up eSports programs.[i] Several colleges in Oklahoma like Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City University, and University of Central Oklahoma presently have active eSports programs. Some universities like Oklahoma City University are creating new majors and minors revolving around esports.
Several Oklahoma universities and colleges are now apart of the Oklahoma Association of Collegiate Esports (OACE). The OACE provides a platform for friendly universities to establish and discuss best practices for esports and generate healthy competitive play. Universities and colleges with more experience can mentor new esports programs. The OACE is committed to building community through Oklahoma college esports players and coaches. See a list of OACE schools below.
This is not limited to Oklahoma universities and colleges. The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is a nonprofit membership association organized by and on behalf of our member institutions, which include nearly 200 institutions.
Students that participate in esports leagues throughout high school will have a higher chance of being recognized by these colleges and may obtain scholarships to play for that college. Many of FT sending schools are beginning to recognize and seize these opportunities. Presently Crescent, Putnam City, Putnam City Original, Putnam City West, and Edmond Memorial all have eSports programs.
[i] “Why High School Esports Is Important.” PlayVS, www.playvs.com/why-esports. Accessed 25 June 2020.
| College/University | Games | Club/Team | Scholarships |
| Cameron University | League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros Ultimate | Both | No |
| Carl Albert State College | Fortnite, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros. | Both | Yes |
| East Central University | Overwatch, Valorant, Fortnite | Both | No |
| Henderson State University (Arkansas) | Overwatch, League of Legends, Rocket League, Fortnite, Rainbow 6 Siege, Valorant, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, Call of Duty | Both | Yes |
| Langston University | Club | No | |
| Mid-America Christian University | League of Legends, Super Smash Bros., Rocket League | Both | Yes |
| Murray State College | Rocket League, Overwatch, Rainbow Six | Both | Yes |
| Northeastern State University | Rainbow Six Siege, League of Legends, Overwatch, Apex | Both | Yes |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University | League of Legends, Rocket League, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Hearthstone | Club | No |
| Oklahoma City University | Call of Duty, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros, Fortnite, League of Legends, Valorant | Both | Yes |
| Oklahoma State University | Overwatch, Valorant, Fortnite, Call of Duty, Super Smash Bros. | Club | No |
| Oral Roberts University | Club | No | |
| Redlands Community College | Overwatch, Valorant, League of Legends, Rocket League, Super Smash Brothers | Club | No |
| Rogers State University | League of Legends, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Rocket League, Counter Strike | Both | No |
| Southern Nazerene Univeristy | League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros | Club | No |
| Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Call of Duty, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros, League of Legends, Overwatch | Both | Yes |