Overview
University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin has competed in club esports since 2020, with affiliations including Big Esports Conference · Wisconsin Esports Conference. The program is a student-run club rather than a varsity team run by the university. Its teams currently compete in VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty, Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege and Marvel Rivals. The school does not publicly list esports scholarship terms (recwell.wisc.edu, 2025-26); contact the program directly. Federal College Scorecard data shows an average net price of $17,354 per year, an acceptance rate of 45% and a graduation rate of 90% across 36,902 undergraduates.
Esports details verified 2026-10-10 · Federal data retrieved 2026-10-10
Esports scholarships at Wisconsin
No esports scholarships published
Wisconsin doesn't publish esports scholarship terms. Ask the program staff about athletic or participation awards during recruiting.
The esports program
- Level
- Club (student-run)
- Founded
- 2020
- Conference / league
- Big Esports Conference · Wisconsin Esports Conference
- Facility
- Esports Lounge, Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
- Titles fielded
- 8
Cost & outcomes vs. other esports schools
Compared with the median of all 405 esports programs we track.
| Tuition (in-state / out-of-state) | $11,603 / $42,103 |
|---|---|
| Average net price (after grants) | $17,354 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 16% |
| Median debt at graduation | $20,484 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 18:1 |
Who studies at Wisconsin
36,902 undergraduates, shown as 100 people.
- White 59%
- Hispanic/Latino 9%
- Black 2%
- Asian 11%
- Two or more races 5%
- International 10%
- Other / unknown 4%
- Women
- 53%
- First-generation
- 17%
- Pell recipients
- 16%
Frequently asked questions
Does Wisconsin offer esports scholarships?
The school does not publicly list esports scholarship terms (recwell.wisc.edu, 2025-26); contact the program directly. Scholarship terms can change each season, so confirm with the program before applying.
What games does Wisconsin esports compete in?
Wisconsin fields club teams in VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty, Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege and Marvel Rivals, according to the program's published information.
How much does Wisconsin cost per year?
The average annual net price — cost after grants and scholarships for students receiving aid — is $17,354. Published tuition is $11,603 in-state and $42,103 out-of-state (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard).
How hard is it to get into Wisconsin?
Wisconsin admits 45% of applicants, per the College Scorecard.
When did Wisconsin start club esports?
Wisconsin's club esports program began in 2020.
Sources
- Esports program and scholarship terms: recwell.wisc.edu (2025-26)
- Cost, admissions, outcomes and demographics: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-10-10
- Photo: Unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Research notes
The Madison Esports Club has been a Sport Club under University Recreation & Wellbeing since early 2020. UW News (Apr 2025) confirms there is no varsity team. The 'Big Ten league' in UW News is presumed to be the BEC. The club also played Smash in Big Ten competition in spring 2025, but the RecWell page doesn't list Smash, so it's omitted. The Bakke lounge has 12 PCs and gives club groups priority.
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