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Illinois vs West Virginia: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Illinois offers a higher volume of scholarship opportunities with a broader range of award sizes, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial funding. West Virginia, while having fewer opportunities, provides a higher average award size, appealing to those who may need less competition.

State vs State

State A

Illinois

State B

West Virginia

Quick comparison

MetricIllinoisWest Virginia
Active scholarships in catalog27225
Avg. award (where known)$1,958$2,486
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. Notable institutions such as Loyola University Chicago lead in scholarship distribution, providing numerous opportunities for applicants.

Conversely, West Virginia has a more limited scholarship offering, with only 29 grants available, averaging $2,489 per award and a maximum of $9,000. While the total number of scholarships is lower, the average award size is higher compared to Illinois, which may benefit applicants looking for substantial funding with less competition.

Top Scholarship Providers in Illinois

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in West Virginia

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Illinois

Illinois has a thriving scholarship environment with many opportunities and diverse award sizes, making it attractive for a wide range of applicants.

West Virginia

West Virginia's scholarship climate is more competitive due to fewer opportunities, but the higher average award size can be advantageous for select applicants.

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.

West Virginia

Median household income

$58,760

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$929

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.33/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$45,300

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 25.59 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

higher indicator band

SVI counties

55

ADI counties

55

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 55 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 55 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 West Virginia?
There are 29 scholarships available in West Virginia.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship award?
Illinois has the highest maximum scholarship award, reaching up to $18,574.
What are the top universities for scholarships in Illinois?
The top universities for scholarships in Illinois include Loyola University Chicago, Waubonsee Community College, and Kankakee Community College Foundation.
Are there many scholarships available for community colleges in West Virginia?
Yes, community colleges in West Virginia have several scholarships, including those from the Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation.

Sources and official pages

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

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