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California vs Wyoming: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? California offers a larger volume of scholarship opportunities and higher maximum awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Wyoming, while having fewer opportunities, provides a comparable average award size, appealing to those who prefer a less competitive environment.

State vs State

State A

California

State B

Wyoming

Quick comparison

MetricCaliforniaWyoming
Active scholarships in catalog37428
Avg. award (where known)$2,809$2,692
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, making it a prime destination for students seeking significant financial support. Notable scholarship providers include the Sonora Area Foundation and the American Planning Association-California Chapter.

In contrast, Wyoming offers a more limited scholarship landscape with only 23 grants, averaging around $2,809. The maximum award in Wyoming is capped at $25,000, which may appeal to applicants looking for less competition. Key scholarship sources in Wyoming include the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Wyoming and the Wyoming Telecommunications Association.

Top Scholarship Providers in California

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Wyoming

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

California

California has a vibrant scholarship climate with a high volume of opportunities and substantial award amounts, ideal for applicants seeking extensive financial aid.

Wyoming

Wyoming's scholarship climate is more modest, with fewer opportunities and lower maximum awards, suitable for applicants who prefer a less competitive atmosphere.

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.

Wyoming

Median household income

$75,709

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,044

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.66/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$50,270

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 18.43 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

23

ADI counties

23

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 23 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 23 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 Wyoming?
There are 23 scholarships available in Wyoming.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in California?
The maximum scholarship amount in California can reach up to $60,000.
Which state has more scholarship opportunities?
California has significantly more scholarship opportunities than Wyoming.

Sources and official pages

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

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