Overview
East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee has competed in varsity esports since 2019, with affiliations including NACE. Its teams currently compete in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, VALORANT and Overwatch 2. Esports scholarships are offered, but a fixed amount is not published (etsu.edu, current (undated FAQ)). Federal College Scorecard data shows an average net price of $15,983 per year, an acceptance rate of 86% and a graduation rate of 53% across 10,004 undergraduates.
Esports details verified 2026-10-06 · Federal data retrieved 2026-10-10
Esports scholarships at ETSU
Scholarships for varsity student-athletes; amount depends on skill level, academic performance and financial need.
The esports program
- Level
- Varsity
- Founded
- 2019
- Conference / league
- NACE
- NACE member
- Yes (NCAA D1)
- Facility
- The CAVE Esports Arena
- Titles fielded
- 4
Cost & outcomes vs. other esports schools
Compared with the median of all 428 esports programs we track.
| Tuition (in-state / out-of-state) | $10,472 / $14,522 |
|---|---|
| Average net price (after grants) | $15,983 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 35% |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,442 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 15:1 |
Who studies at ETSU
10,004 undergraduates, shown as 100 people.
- White 72%
- Hispanic/Latino 5%
- Black 6%
- Asian 2%
- Two or more races 3%
- International 2%
- Other / unknown 10%
- Women
- 60%
- First-generation
- 38%
- Pell recipients
- 35%
Frequently asked questions
Does ETSU offer esports scholarships?
Yes. ETSU 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 (etsu.edu, current (undated FAQ)). Scholarship terms can change each season, so confirm with the program before applying.
Is ETSU esports varsity or club?
Varsity. East Tennessee State University runs or formally sponsors its esports program, which competes in NACE.
What games does ETSU esports compete in?
ETSU fields varsity teams in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, VALORANT and Overwatch 2, according to the program's published information.
How much does ETSU cost per year?
The average annual net price — cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving aid — is $15,983. Published tuition is $10,472 in-state and $14,522 out-of-state (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard).
How hard is it to get into ETSU?
ETSU admits 86% of applicants, per the College Scorecard.
When did ETSU start varsity esports?
ETSU's varsity esports program began in 2019.
Sources
- Esports program and scholarship terms: etsu.edu (current (undated FAQ))
- Cost, admissions, outcomes and demographics: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-10-10
- Photo: Smoke321, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Research notes
iRacing = other. A search snippet of ETSU's recruitment page said 'up to $3,000' but I could not confirm it on the page, so aidMax left null. Also UTC (Chattanooga) is a viable TN alternate.
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