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Alaska vs Minnesota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Alaska offers a higher average award size and more opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Minnesota, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for targeted scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Alaska

State B

Minnesota

Quick comparison

MetricAlaskaMinnesota
Active scholarships in catalog7347
Avg. award (where known)$3,706$2,915
Max indexed award$25,000$9,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Alaska presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of $3,943 and a maximum award of $25,000 across 53 grants. The top universities providing scholarships include The CIRI Foundation and the Alaska Government Finance Officers Association. In contrast, Minnesota offers a more modest average award of $3,125, with a maximum of $9,000 from 36 grants. Notable scholarship providers in Minnesota include the Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-Minnesota Council 5.

Top Scholarship Providers in Alaska

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Minnesota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Alaska

Alaska's scholarship climate is characterized by a higher average award size and a greater number of available grants, making it a favorable option for applicants seeking significant financial support.

Minnesota

Minnesota's scholarship environment, while having fewer opportunities and lower average awards, may attract applicants looking for specific scholarships related to their field of study.

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.

Minnesota

Median household income

$89,564

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,046

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$56,920

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 22.22 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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

87

ADI counties

87

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 87 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 87 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 award in Alaska?
The average scholarship award in Alaska is $3,943.
How many scholarships are available in Minnesota?
There are 36 scholarships available in Minnesota.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Alaska?
The maximum scholarship amount in Alaska is $25,000.
Which university offers the most scholarships in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers the most scholarships in Minnesota.

Sources and official pages

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

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