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California vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? California offers a higher average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger scholarships, while Washington provides a more diverse range of opportunities with a slightly lower average award.

State vs State

State A

California

State B

Washington

Quick comparison

MetricCaliforniaWashington
Active scholarships in catalog374191
Avg. award (where known)$2,809$3,652
Max indexed award$60,000$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, California presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 327 grants available, averaging approximately $2,791 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $60,000, indicating a wide range of funding options for students. Notable scholarship providers include the Sonora Area Foundation, which offers the highest number of grants at 67.

Conversely, Washington has a total of 124 grants, with an average award size of about $3,739 and a maximum of $25,000. The Wenatchee Valley College Foundation leads in grant offerings with 27 scholarships available. This indicates a slightly less competitive environment compared to California but still presents significant opportunities for applicants.

Top Scholarship Providers in California

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

California

California's scholarship climate is characterized by a high volume of grants and larger average award sizes, making it appealing for students seeking substantial financial support.

Washington

Washington offers a diverse array of scholarships with a moderate average award size, ideal for applicants looking for varied funding sources.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

California

Median household income

$99,234

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,975

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

28.24/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$58,240

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 43.88 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

higher indicator band

ADI band

lower indicator band

SVI counties

45

ADI counties

56

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 45 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 56 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

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 California?
The average scholarship amount in California is approximately $2,791.
How many scholarships are available in Washington?
There are a total of 124 scholarships available in Washington.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship award?
California has the highest maximum scholarship award of $60,000.
What is the average scholarship amount in Washington?
The average scholarship amount in Washington is about $3,739.

Sources and official pages

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

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