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Illinois vs Pennsylvania: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a larger number of scholarships with a lower average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking more opportunities. Pennsylvania, with higher average awards, may appeal to those looking for substantial funding.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

Pennsylvania

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisPennsylvania
Active scholarships in catalog272125
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$3,131
Max indexed award$18,574$40,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape presents distinct opportunities in Illinois and Pennsylvania. Illinois boasts a total of 238 grants with an average award size of approximately $1,970, while Pennsylvania offers 101 grants with a higher average award of around $3,000. This indicates that while Illinois provides more options, Pennsylvania's awards tend to be more substantial.

Top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation, which collectively offer a significant number of scholarships. In contrast, Pennsylvania's notable institutions include the Philadelphia Foundation and the POISE Foundation, which also contribute to a robust scholarship environment.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Pennsylvania

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a vibrant scholarship climate with numerous opportunities but lower average award sizes, making it ideal for applicants seeking multiple funding sources.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania features fewer scholarships but with higher average awards, appealing to those who prioritize larger funding 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.

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 Illinois?
The average scholarship amount in Illinois is approximately $1,970.
How many scholarships are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers a total of 101 scholarships.
Which universities in Illinois provide the most scholarships?
Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation are the top providers in Illinois.

Sources and official pages

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

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