Overview
Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan has competed in varsity esports since 2023, with affiliations including BEC · PEC · NACE. Its teams currently compete in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League and VALORANT. Esports scholarships are offered, but a fixed amount is not published (comartsci.msu.edu, current page). Federal College Scorecard data shows an average net price of $19,680 per year, an acceptance rate of 85% and a graduation rate of 81% across 40,922 undergraduates.
Esports details verified 2026-10-08 · Federal data retrieved 2026-10-10
Esports scholarships at Michigan State
A limited number of scholarships for varsity esports are available; partial, amounts vary
The esports program
- Level
- Varsity
- Founded
- 2023
- Conference / league
- BEC · PEC · NACE
- High school events
- Hosts Michigan High School Esports League fall season championship (Dec. 7, 2024); MSU-MHSEL accord to host the fall event for up to the next five years (Dec. 2025 event at MSU reported by Mason County Press, third-party)
- NACE member
- Yes (NCAA D1)
- Facility
- Alienware MSU Esports Lounge
- Titles fielded
- 3
Cost & outcomes vs. other esports schools
Compared with the median of all 428 esports programs we track.
| Tuition (in-state / out-of-state) | $16,458 / $43,842 |
|---|---|
| Average net price (after grants) | $19,680 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 20% |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,250 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 17:1 |
Who studies at Michigan State
40,922 undergraduates, shown as 100 people.
- White 67%
- Hispanic/Latino 7%
- Black 7%
- Asian 8%
- Two or more races 4%
- International 5%
- Other / unknown 2%
- Women
- 52%
- First-generation
- 21%
- Pell recipients
- 20%
Frequently asked questions
Does Michigan State offer esports scholarships?
Yes. Michigan 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 (comartsci.msu.edu, current page). Scholarship terms can change each season, so confirm with the program before applying.
Is Michigan State esports varsity or club?
Varsity. Michigan State University runs or formally sponsors its esports program, which competes in BEC · PEC · NACE.
What games does Michigan State esports compete in?
Michigan State fields varsity teams in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League and VALORANT, according to the program's published information.
How much does Michigan State cost per year?
The average annual net price — cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving aid — is $19,680. Published tuition is $16,458 in-state and $43,842 out-of-state (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard).
How hard is it to get into Michigan State?
Michigan State admits 85% of applicants, per the College Scorecard.
When did Michigan State start varsity esports?
Michigan State's varsity esports program began in 2023.
Sources
- Esports program and scholarship terms: comartsci.msu.edu (current page)
- Cost, admissions, outcomes and demographics: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-10-10
- Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Lovelac7~commonswiki assumed (based on copy, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Research notes
Varsity program in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, with director Chris Bilski and paid coaches. A varsity team formed in 2023 (MSU Today, Feb 2026). A May 2023 ComArtSci article says scholarships 'will vary in amount, but will be of the partial ride variety'. No dollar amounts are published. A second facility, the Hubbard Esports Gaming Hub, is also listed. Logo: File:Michigan_State_Spartans_logo.svg redirects to the alternate (helmet) logo.
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