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Illinois vs South Dakota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a broader range of scholarship opportunities, while South Dakota has a higher average award size. Applicants should consider their specific needs and eligibility.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

South Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisSouth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog27219
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$2,133
Max indexed award$18,574$5,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Illinois presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 280 grants available, averaging $1,937 per award. The maximum award size reaches up to $18,574, making it an attractive option for applicants. Top institutions such as Loyola University Chicago lead in grant distribution, providing numerous opportunities for students.

Conversely, South Dakota offers a smaller pool of 19 scholarships, with an average award size of $2,133 and a maximum of $5,000. While the number of grants is limited, the average award is relatively competitive. The South Dakota High School Rodeo Association stands out as a significant provider of scholarships in the state.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in South Dakota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a vibrant scholarship landscape with numerous opportunities and high maximum awards, making it suitable for a wide range of applicants.

South Dakota

South Dakota's scholarship climate is more limited but offers competitive average awards, appealing to those who meet specific eligibility criteria.

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.

South Dakota

Median household income

$71,969

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$979

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,080

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.95 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

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

66

ADI counties

66

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 66 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 66 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 South Dakota?
There are 19 scholarships available in South Dakota.
Which universities in Illinois provide the most scholarships?
Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation are among the top providers.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in South Dakota?
The maximum scholarship amount in South Dakota is $5,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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