Overview
Dakota State University in Madison, South Dakota has competed in varsity esports since 2019, with affiliations including Collegiate Champions League (CCL). Its teams currently compete in VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, Counter-Strike 2 and Overwatch 2. Esports scholarships are offered, but a fixed amount is not published (dsuathletics.com, 2019-20). Federal College Scorecard data shows an average net price of $21,057 per year, an acceptance rate of 88% and a graduation rate of 51% across 2,071 undergraduates.
Esports details verified 2026-10-06 · Federal data retrieved 2026-10-10
Esports scholarships at Dakota State
Esports is DSU's 13th sport, complete with scholarships, coaches and technology; amounts not published.
The esports program
- Level
- Varsity
- Founded
- 2019
- Conference / league
- Collegiate Champions League (CCL)
- NACE member
- Not listed
- Facility
- Not published
- Titles fielded
- 5
Cost & outcomes vs. other esports schools
Compared with the median of all 428 esports programs we track.
| Tuition (in-state / out-of-state) | $9,654 / $12,756 |
|---|---|
| Average net price (after grants) | $21,057 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 17% |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,500 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 18:1 |
Who studies at Dakota State
2,071 undergraduates, shown as 100 people.
- White 74%
- Hispanic/Latino 5%
- Black 4%
- Asian 3%
- Two or more races 4%
- International 6%
- Other / unknown 4%
- Women
- 36%
- First-generation
- 28%
- Pell recipients
- 17%
Frequently asked questions
Does Dakota State offer esports scholarships?
Yes. Dakota State offers esports scholarships but doesn't publish an amount; awards are decided by the program. Esports scholarships are offered, but a fixed amount is not published (dsuathletics.com, 2019-20). Scholarship terms can change each season, so confirm with the program before applying.
Is Dakota State esports varsity or club?
Varsity. Dakota State University runs or formally sponsors its esports program, which competes in Collegiate Champions League (CCL).
What games does Dakota State esports compete in?
Dakota State fields varsity teams in VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, Counter-Strike 2 and Overwatch 2, according to the program's published information.
How much does Dakota State cost per year?
The average annual net price — cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving aid — is $21,057. Published tuition is $9,654 in-state and $12,756 out-of-state (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard).
How hard is it to get into Dakota State?
Dakota State admits 88% of applicants, per the College Scorecard.
When did Dakota State start varsity esports?
Dakota State's varsity esports program began in 2019.
Sources
- Esports program and scholarship terms: dsuathletics.com (2019-20)
- Cost, admissions, outcomes and demographics: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-10-10
- Photo: Jlgrabinger, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Research notes
Active: Nov 2025 CCL LAN qualifiers (LoL, VAL, RL; RL defending CCL champ). Scholarship quote from 2019 DSU release now 404. Arena has generic name only.
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