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Arkansas vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Washington 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 options, may appeal to those interested in specific local scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Arkansas

State B

Washington

Quick comparison

MetricArkansasWashington
Active scholarships in catalog29191
Avg. award (where known)$2,248$3,652
Max indexed award$6,000$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape presents distinct opportunities in Arkansas and Washington. Arkansas features an average scholarship amount of approximately $2,039, with a maximum award of $6,000 across 19 grants. The top scholarship providers include the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association and the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council.

In contrast, Washington boasts a more extensive scholarship climate, with an average award size of around $3,739 and a maximum of $25,000 available through 124 grants. Notable scholarship sources in Washington include the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington.

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Scholarship climate by state

Arkansas

Arkansas has a limited number of scholarships with lower average awards, making it suitable for applicants focused on niche opportunities.

Washington

Washington's scholarship climate is vibrant and diverse, offering higher average awards and a larger number of grants, 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.

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 Arkansas?
The average scholarship amount in Arkansas is approximately $2,039.
How many scholarships are available in Washington?
Washington has a total of 124 scholarships available.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Washington?
The maximum scholarship award in Washington is $25,000.
Which universities offer the most scholarships in Arkansas?
Top scholarship providers in Arkansas include the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association and the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council.

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 Washington.