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Alaska vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Alaska offers a smaller number of scholarships with a slightly higher average award, while Washington has a larger volume of opportunities but a lower average award size. Applicants should consider their specific needs and preferences when choosing between these states.

State vs State

State A

Alaska

State B

Washington

Quick comparison

MetricAlaskaWashington
Active scholarships in catalog73191
Avg. award (where known)$3,706$3,652
Max indexed award$25,000$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Alaska presents a scholarship climate with 53 grants available, averaging approximately $3,943 per award, with a maximum of $25,000. The top universities in Alaska include The CIRI Foundation, Alaska Government Finance Officers Association, and Alaska Forest Association, among others.

Conversely, Washington boasts a more robust scholarship landscape with 124 grants, averaging around $3,739 per award, also with a maximum of $25,000. Key institutions providing scholarships in Washington include Wenatchee Valley College Foundation, Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, and Community Foundation of North Central Washington.

Top Scholarship Providers in Alaska

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Washington

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Alaska

Alaska's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities but slightly higher average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial funding from limited sources.

Washington

Washington offers a wider array of scholarship opportunities, appealing to applicants looking for more options, albeit with slightly lower average awards.

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.

Washington

Median household income

$97,733

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,418

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.29/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$62,990

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.40 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

middle indicator band

ADI band

lower indicator band

SVI counties

39

ADI counties

39

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 39 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 39 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 Washington?
Washington has a total of 124 scholarships available.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in both states?
The maximum scholarship amount in both Alaska and Washington is $25,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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