Overview
Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois has competed in varsity esports since 2020, with affiliations including NJCAAE · Gateway Esports. Its teams currently compete in Fortnite, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch 2, Call of Duty, Street Fighter 6 and Hearthstone. The school does not publicly list esports scholarship terms (heartland.campuslabs.com, 2026-27); contact the program directly. Federal College Scorecard data shows an average net price of $12,013 per year and a graduation rate of 54% across 2,997 undergraduates.
Esports details verified 2026-10-10 · Federal data retrieved 2026-10-10
Esports scholarships at Heartland
No esports scholarships published
Heartland doesn't publish esports scholarship terms. Ask the program staff about athletic or participation awards during recruiting.
The esports program
- Level
- Varsity
- Founded
- 2020
- Conference / league
- NJCAAE · Gateway Esports
- NACE member
- Not listed
- Facility
- Esports Arena
- Titles fielded
- 7
Cost & outcomes vs. other esports schools
Compared with the median of all 428 esports programs we track.
| Tuition (in-state / out-of-state) | $5,550 / $13,110 |
|---|---|
| Average net price (after grants) | $12,013 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 21% |
| Median debt at graduation | $7,826 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 18:1 |
Who studies at Heartland
2,997 undergraduates, shown as 100 people.
- White 62%
- Hispanic/Latino 12%
- Black 14%
- Asian 2%
- Two or more races 7%
- International 2%
- Other / unknown 1%
- Women
- 57%
- First-generation
- 40%
- Pell recipients
- 21%
Frequently asked questions
Does Heartland offer esports scholarships?
No esports scholarship terms are published. Ask the coaching staff about athletic or activity awards during recruiting. The school does not publicly list esports scholarship terms (heartland.campuslabs.com, 2026-27); contact the program directly. Scholarship terms can change each season, so confirm with the program before applying.
Is Heartland esports varsity or club?
Varsity. Heartland Community College runs or formally sponsors its esports program, which competes in NJCAAE · Gateway Esports.
What games does Heartland esports compete in?
Heartland fields varsity teams in Fortnite, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch 2, Call of Duty, Street Fighter 6 and Hearthstone, according to the program's published information.
How much does Heartland cost per year?
The average annual net price — cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving aid — is $12,013. Published tuition is $5,550 in-state and $13,110 out-of-state (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard).
When did Heartland start varsity esports?
Heartland's varsity esports program began in 2020.
Sources
- Esports program and scholarship terms: heartland.campuslabs.com (2026-27)
- Cost, admissions, outcomes and demographics: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-10-10
Research notes
Board-approved varsity program launched fall 2020 (WGLT). Current official page is a student-life listing ("Esports Academy") with dedicated coach Cole Belcher (hired June 2024). Hearthstone from Fall 2026 NJCAAE entries; also Tekken 8, Mario Kart.
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