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Illinois vs New Mexico: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a larger volume of scholarship opportunities compared to New Mexico, making it more suitable for applicants seeking higher funding. New Mexico, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those interested in specific local scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

New Mexico

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisNew Mexico
Active scholarships in catalog27241
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$1,967
Max indexed award$18,574$5,500

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Illinois presents a more robust scholarship climate with a total of 280 grants available, averaging around $1,936.81 per award, and a maximum award size of $18,574. The top universities in Illinois, such as Loyola University Chicago, offer numerous scholarships, enhancing the overall funding landscape for applicants.

In contrast, New Mexico has a significantly lower total of 42 grants, with an average award size of approximately $1,932.14 and a maximum of $5,500. The top scholarship providers, including the New Mexico Engineering Foundation, contribute to a more limited but focused scholarship environment.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in New Mexico

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a vibrant scholarship climate with many opportunities and higher average award sizes, making it favorable for a wide range of applicants.

New Mexico

New Mexico's scholarship climate is more niche, with fewer opportunities and lower maximum awards, appealing to those seeking specific local funding.

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.

New Mexico

Median household income

$62,932

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,096

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.54/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,210

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 67.53 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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

33

ADI counties

33

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 33 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 33 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 $1,936.81.
How many scholarships are available in New Mexico?
There are 42 scholarships available in New Mexico.
Which universities in Illinois offer the most scholarships?
Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation are among the top universities offering scholarships in Illinois.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in New Mexico?
The maximum scholarship amount in New Mexico is $5,500.

Sources and official pages

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

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