← Back to State vs State

Idaho vs Pennsylvania: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Idaho offers a smaller number of scholarships with a higher average award compared to Pennsylvania, which has a larger volume of opportunities but lower average awards. Applicants should consider their funding needs and the competitiveness of each state.

State vs State

State A

Idaho

State B

Pennsylvania

Quick comparison

MetricIdahoPennsylvania
Active scholarships in catalog39125
Avg. award (where known)$3,625$3,131
Max indexed award$25,000$40,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Idaho presents a scholarship climate characterized by 32 available grants, with an average award size of approximately $3,701. The maximum award can reach up to $25,000. Notable institutions contributing to scholarships include the Idaho Community Foundation and the Idaho Golf Course Superintendents Association.

Conversely, Pennsylvania boasts a more robust scholarship landscape, featuring 101 grants with an average award size of $3,000 and a maximum of $40,000. Key scholarship providers include the Philadelphia Foundation and the POISE Foundation. This indicates a broader range of opportunities for applicants in Pennsylvania.

Top Scholarship Providers in Idaho

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Top Scholarship Providers in Pennsylvania

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Match workspace

Find scholarships that fit your profile

Find My Scholarships

Scholarship climate by state

Idaho

Idaho's scholarship climate is less competitive with fewer opportunities but higher average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial funding.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's environment is more competitive, offering a larger number of scholarships, which may benefit applicants willing to navigate a crowded field.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Idaho

Median household income

$74,989

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,133

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.13/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,970

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 20.55 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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

44

ADI counties

44

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 44 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 44 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Pennsylvania

Median household income

$78,689

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,133

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.17/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$49,690

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.55 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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

67

ADI counties

67

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 67 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 67 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 Idaho?
The average scholarship amount in Idaho is approximately $3,701.
How many scholarships are available in Pennsylvania?
There are 101 scholarships available in Pennsylvania.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Pennsylvania?
The maximum scholarship award in Pennsylvania can reach up to $40,000.

Sources and official pages

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

More guides around this State vs State comparison

Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Idaho and Pennsylvania.

Related scholarship articles

Related essay guides