Overview
Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois fields a varsity esports program, with affiliations including Esports Collegiate Conference (ESC). Its teams currently compete in VALORANT, Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The school does not publicly list esports scholarship terms (niu.edu, 2023-24); contact the program directly. Federal College Scorecard data shows an average net price of $13,391 per year, an acceptance rate of 70% and a graduation rate of 49% across 11,301 undergraduates.
Esports details verified 2026-10-10 · Federal data retrieved 2026-10-10
Esports scholarships at NIU
No current esports scholarship terms published. NIU says all varsity players got a $500 donor-funded scholarship in 2023-24.
NIU doesn't publish esports scholarship terms. Ask the program staff about athletic or participation awards during recruiting.
The esports program
- Level
- Varsity
- Founded
- Not published
- Conference / league
- Esports Collegiate Conference (ESC)
- High school events
- Hosts seven Illinois High School Esports Association (IHSEA) state finals at the NIU Esports Arena during the 2025-2026 academic year
- NACE member
- Yes (NCAA D1)
- Facility
- Esports Arena
- Titles fielded
- 5
Cost & outcomes vs. other esports schools
Compared with the median of all 428 esports programs we track.
| Tuition | $13,248 |
|---|---|
| Average net price (after grants) | $13,391 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 47% |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,162 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 15:1 |
Who studies at NIU
11,301 undergraduates, shown as 100 people.
- White 42%
- Hispanic/Latino 26%
- Black 21%
- Asian 6%
- Two or more races 2%
- International 2%
- Other / unknown 1%
- Women
- 53%
- First-generation
- 38%
- Pell recipients
- 47%
Frequently asked questions
Does NIU 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 (niu.edu, 2023-24); contact the program directly. Scholarship terms can change each season, so confirm with the program before applying.
Is NIU esports varsity or club?
Varsity. Northern Illinois University runs or formally sponsors its esports program, which competes in Esports Collegiate Conference (ESC).
What games does NIU esports compete in?
NIU fields varsity teams in VALORANT, Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, according to the program's published information.
How much does NIU cost per year?
The average annual net price — cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving aid — is $13,391. Published tuition is $13,248 (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard).
How hard is it to get into NIU?
NIU admits 70% of applicants, per the College Scorecard.
Sources
- Esports program and scholarship terms: niu.edu (2023-24)
- Cost, admissions, outcomes and demographics: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-10-10
- Photo: Alexbaumgarner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Research notes
Official NIU Esports program (Altgeld Hall) with varsity teams; NIU is a founding member of ESC. The $500 figure is from 2023-24 and not reconfirmed, so kind is none. The Fierce Gamer Scholarship ($1,000) is open to all NIU undergrads and is not esports-team aid. Start year is not stated.
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