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Colorado vs North Dakota: 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 aid. North Dakota, while having fewer options, may appeal to those looking for niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Colorado

State B

North Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricColoradoNorth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog7413
Avg. award (where known)$4,183$3,722
Max indexed award$64,000$15,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Colorado presents a more favorable scholarship landscape compared to North Dakota. With 62 scholarships available, Colorado boasts an average award size of approximately $4,321, significantly higher than North Dakota's average of about $3,722 from just 10 scholarships. The maximum award in Colorado reaches $64,000, while North Dakota's caps at $15,000. The top universities in Colorado include the Morgan Community College Foundation, which offers the most scholarships, alongside other notable organizations. In contrast, North Dakota's scholarship offerings are more limited, with each of its top universities providing only a single scholarship opportunity.

Top Scholarship Providers in Colorado

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in North Dakota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Colorado

Colorado's scholarship climate is characterized by a high volume of opportunities and larger average awards, making it attractive for a wide range of applicants.

North Dakota

North Dakota's scholarship climate is more restrictive, with fewer opportunities and lower average awards, appealing to applicants with specific needs or interests.

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.

North Dakota

Median household income

$76,193

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$963

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.00/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$52,480

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 24.02 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

53

ADI counties

53

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 53 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 53 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 North Dakota?
There are 10 scholarships available in North Dakota.
Which state offers higher maximum scholarship amounts?
Colorado offers a higher maximum scholarship amount of $64,000 compared to North Dakota's $15,000.
What are the top universities for scholarships in Colorado?
The top universities for scholarships in Colorado include Morgan Community College Foundation, Medical Group Management Association, and others.
Are there many scholarship opportunities in North Dakota?
No, North Dakota has fewer scholarship opportunities, totaling only 10.

Sources and official pages

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

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