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Arkansas vs Colorado: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Colorado offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and a greater number of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Arkansas, while having fewer opportunities and lower average awards, may appeal to those looking for niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Arkansas

State B

Colorado

Quick comparison

MetricArkansasColorado
Active scholarships in catalog2974
Avg. award (where known)$2,248$4,183
Max indexed award$6,000$64,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape in Arkansas and Colorado presents distinct opportunities for applicants. Arkansas features a total of 19 grants with an average award size of approximately $2,039. In contrast, Colorado boasts a significantly larger pool of 62 grants, with an average award size of around $4,321. The maximum award in Arkansas is $6,000, while Colorado offers a maximum of $64,000, indicating a broader range of financial support available in the latter state.

Top universities in Arkansas include the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association and the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council, which provide multiple grants. Meanwhile, Colorado's leading institutions, such as the Morgan Community College Foundation, offer a substantial number of scholarships, particularly benefiting students in diverse fields.

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Scholarship climate by state

Arkansas

Arkansas has a modest scholarship climate with fewer opportunities and lower average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking targeted funding.

Colorado

Colorado's scholarship climate is vibrant and competitive, characterized by a higher volume of opportunities and larger average awards, appealing to a broader range of applicants.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Arkansas

Median household income

$59,954

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$912

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.17/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$43,630

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 52.45 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

higher indicator band

ADI counties

75

County health data

75

  • ADI block-group data is available across 75 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.
  • County health public data is available for 75 counties; use it alongside cost, school, and scholarship details.

Colorado

Median household income

$94,510

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,321

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.86/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$59,800

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 41.18 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

64

ADI counties

63

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 64 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 63 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 Arkansas?
The average scholarship amount in Arkansas is approximately $2,039.
How many scholarships are available in Colorado?
Colorado offers a total of 62 scholarships.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Colorado?
The maximum scholarship amount available in Colorado is $64,000.
Which state has more scholarship opportunities?
Colorado has more scholarship opportunities with a total of 62 grants compared to Arkansas's 19 grants.

Sources and official pages

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

Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Arkansas and Colorado.