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Illinois vs Texas: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a larger number of grants but lower average award sizes, making it suitable for applicants seeking more opportunities. Texas provides higher average awards, appealing to those prioritizing funding amounts.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

Texas

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisTexas
Active scholarships in catalog272286
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$2,685
Max indexed award$18,574$15,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape reveals distinct differences between Illinois and Texas. Illinois boasts a total of 238 grants available, with an average award size of approximately $1,970. The maximum award can reach up to $18,574. The top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation, which collectively offer a significant number of scholarships.

Conversely, Texas presents a total of 151 grants, with a higher average award size of about $2,589 and a maximum award limit of $15,000. The Alamo Colleges Foundation, Austin Community College, and Tarrant County College Foundation are the leading institutions in Texas, providing substantial funding opportunities for students.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Texas

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a rich scholarship climate with numerous grants available, though the average award size is lower compared to Texas.

Texas

Texas offers fewer grants but with higher average award amounts, making it attractive for applicants seeking significant financial support.

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.

Texas

Median household income

$76,866

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,088

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.83/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,620

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 36.73 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

254

ADI counties

246

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 254 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 246 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 grants are available in Texas?
Texas has a total of 151 grants available.
Which university in Illinois offers the most scholarships?
Loyola University Chicago offers the most scholarships in Illinois, with 611 grants.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Texas?
The maximum scholarship amount in Texas can reach up to $15,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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