← Back to State vs State

Illinois vs Nebraska: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a broader range of scholarship opportunities with higher average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Nebraska, while having fewer opportunities, provides a slightly higher average award size, appealing to those who prioritize award value over quantity.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

Nebraska

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisNebraska
Active scholarships in catalog27221
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$2,500
Max indexed award$18,574$11,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Illinois presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 280 grants available, averaging approximately $1,937 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $18,574, making it an attractive option for many students. Key institutions like Loyola University Chicago lead the way with the highest number of grants.

In contrast, Nebraska offers a more limited scholarship landscape with only 21 grants available. However, the average award size is higher at $2,500, with a maximum of $11,000. This may appeal to applicants looking for significant funding despite the lower number of opportunities.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Top Scholarship Providers in Nebraska

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Match workspace

Find scholarships that fit your profile

Find My Scholarships

Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a diverse scholarship environment with numerous opportunities and higher average awards, making it favorable for applicants seeking extensive financial support.

Nebraska

Nebraska's scholarship climate is more limited but offers higher average awards, which may be beneficial for applicants focused on maximizing individual award amounts.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Illinois

Median household income

$83,872

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,002

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.12/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$51,960

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 32.18 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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

102

ADI counties

102

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 102 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 102 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Nebraska

Median household income

$76,111

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,145

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.09/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,980

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 23.95 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

93

ADI counties

93

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 93 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 93 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 Illinois?
The average scholarship amount in Illinois is approximately $1,937.
How many scholarships are available in Nebraska?
There are 21 scholarships available in Nebraska.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship award?
Illinois has the highest maximum scholarship award at $18,574.
What are the top universities in Illinois for scholarships?
Top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation.

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 Illinois and Nebraska.

Related scholarship articles

Related essay guides