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Colorado vs Iowa: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Colorado offers a higher average award size and more opportunities compared to Iowa, making it more suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid.

State vs State

State A

Colorado

State B

Iowa

Quick comparison

MetricColoradoIowa
Active scholarships in catalog7439
Avg. award (where known)$4,183$2,305
Max indexed award$64,000$11,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Colorado presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 62 grants available, averaging approximately $4,321 per award. The maximum award in Colorado can reach up to $64,000, providing significant financial support for students. Notable institutions in Colorado include the Morgan Community College Foundation, which offers the highest number of grants.

In contrast, Iowa has a smaller scholarship pool with 29 grants available, averaging around $2,205 per award and a maximum of $11,000. The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is one of the key scholarship providers in Iowa. While both states offer valuable opportunities, Colorado's higher average awards and greater number of grants make it a more appealing option for prospective students.

Top Scholarship Providers in Colorado

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Iowa

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Colorado

Colorado's scholarship climate is characterized by a larger volume of opportunities and higher average award amounts, making it favorable for applicants seeking significant financial assistance.

Iowa

Iowa's scholarship climate, while offering fewer opportunities and lower average awards, may still appeal to applicants looking for smaller, targeted funding options.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

Iowa

Median household income

$74,077

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$967

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.97/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,540

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 23.88 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

lower indicator band

ADI band

higher indicator band

SVI counties

99

ADI counties

99

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 99 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 99 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 Colorado?
The average scholarship amount in Colorado is approximately $4,321.
How many scholarships are available in Iowa?
Iowa has a total of 29 scholarships available.
Which state has a higher maximum scholarship award?
Colorado has a higher maximum scholarship award of $64,000 compared to Iowa's $11,000.
What are the top universities offering scholarships in Colorado?
Top universities in Colorado include the Morgan Community College Foundation and the Medical Group Management Association.
Are there scholarships specifically for community colleges in Iowa?
Yes, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines offers scholarships that may benefit community college students in Iowa.

Sources and official pages

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

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