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Illinois vs North Dakota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a broader range of scholarships with higher total opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking diverse funding options. North Dakota, while having a higher average award size, has significantly fewer opportunities, which may appeal to those targeting specific niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

North Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisNorth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog27213
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$3,722
Max indexed award$18,574$15,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Illinois presents a more vibrant scholarship landscape compared to North Dakota. With a total of 280 grants available, Illinois has an average award size of approximately $1,937, reaching a maximum of $18,574. The state's top universities, such as Loyola University Chicago, lead in the number of grants awarded, providing ample opportunities for students.

Conversely, North Dakota offers a more limited selection of scholarships, with only 13 grants available. The average award size in North Dakota is around $3,722, with a maximum of $15,000. The scholarship landscape here is characterized by specialized grants from organizations like AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the North Dakota Petroleum Council.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

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

Illinois

Illinois has a robust scholarship climate with numerous opportunities and a diverse range of funding sources, making it ideal for applicants seeking various financial aid options.

North Dakota

North Dakota's scholarship climate is more restrictive, with fewer opportunities but higher average awards, appealing to those who qualify for niche scholarships.

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.

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 Illinois?
The average scholarship amount in Illinois is approximately $1,937.
How many grants are available in North Dakota?
There are 13 grants available in North Dakota.
Which university in Illinois has the most scholarships?
Loyola University Chicago has the highest number of scholarships awarded in Illinois.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in North Dakota?
The maximum scholarship amount in North Dakota is $15,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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