← Back to State vs State

Illinois vs Utah: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a larger volume of scholarship opportunities with a wider range of awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Utah, while having fewer opportunities, provides a higher average award size, which may appeal to those looking for significant funding despite the lower number of scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

Utah

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisUtah
Active scholarships in catalog27223
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$2,800
Max indexed award$18,574$9,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Illinois presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 280 grants available, averaging approximately $1,937 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $18,574, providing significant financial support to students. Key institutions such as Loyola University Chicago and Waubonsee Community College lead in grant offerings, enhancing the state's appeal for scholarship seekers.

In contrast, Utah has a more limited scholarship landscape, with only 27 grants available. However, the average award size is higher at $2,812.50, with a maximum award of $9,000. This may attract applicants who prioritize larger individual awards over the total number of scholarships. The top institutions in Utah, while fewer, still play a crucial role in providing financial assistance.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Top Scholarship Providers in Utah

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Match workspace

Find scholarships that fit your profile

Find My Scholarships

Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a diverse and abundant scholarship climate, ideal for applicants seeking numerous opportunities across various institutions.

Utah

Utah's scholarship environment is more limited but offers higher average awards, appealing to those who need substantial 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.

Utah

Median household income

$92,837

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,283

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.81/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$50,110

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 20.55 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

lower indicator band

ADI band

lower indicator band

SVI counties

29

ADI counties

29

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 29 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 29 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 Utah?
Utah has a total of 27 scholarships available.
Which state offers the highest maximum scholarship amount?
Illinois offers the highest maximum scholarship amount at $18,574.
What are the top universities for scholarships in Illinois?
Top universities in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago and Waubonsee Community College.

Sources and official pages

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

More guides around this State vs State comparison

Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Illinois and Utah.

Related scholarship articles

Related essay guides