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Alaska vs Iowa: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Alaska offers higher average awards and a greater number of grants, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Iowa, while having lower average awards, may appeal to those looking for a more manageable scholarship landscape.

State vs State

State A

Alaska

State B

Iowa

Quick comparison

MetricAlaskaIowa
Active scholarships in catalog7339
Avg. award (where known)$3,706$2,305
Max indexed award$25,000$11,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship climate in Alaska presents a robust opportunity for applicants, with an average award size of approximately $3,943 and a total of 53 grants available. The maximum award can reach up to $25,000, providing significant financial assistance for students.

In contrast, Iowa's scholarship landscape offers a lower average award of about $2,205, with a total of 29 grants available and a maximum award of $11,000. This indicates a more modest financial support system for students in Iowa.

Top universities in Alaska include The CIRI Foundation, Alaska Government Finance Officers Association, and Alaska Forest Association, among others. In Iowa, notable organizations providing scholarships include the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association.

Top Scholarship Providers in Alaska

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Iowa

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Alaska

Alaska's scholarship climate is characterized by higher average awards and a larger number of grants, making it attractive for students seeking substantial financial support.

Iowa

Iowa's scholarship environment is more modest, with lower average awards and fewer grants, which may appeal to applicants looking for less competitive opportunities.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Alaska

Median household income

$89,683

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,467

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

25.25/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$61,000

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 61.68 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

ADI band

middle indicator band

ADI counties

30

County health data

30

  • ADI block-group data is available across 30 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.
  • County health public data is available for 30 counties; use it alongside cost, school, and scholarship details.

Iowa

Median household income

$74,077

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$967

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.97/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,540

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 23.88 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

lower indicator band

ADI band

higher indicator band

SVI counties

99

ADI counties

99

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 99 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 99 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Alaska?
The average scholarship amount in Alaska is approximately $3,943.
How many scholarships are available in Iowa?
There are a total of 29 scholarships available in Iowa.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Alaska?
The maximum scholarship award in Alaska can reach up to $25,000.
Which organization offers the most scholarships in Alaska?
The CIRI Foundation offers the most scholarships in Alaska, with a total of 5 grants.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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