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Iowa vs Minnesota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Minnesota offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and a greater number of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger funding. Iowa, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those targeting specific local scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Iowa

State B

Minnesota

Quick comparison

MetricIowaMinnesota
Active scholarships in catalog3947
Avg. award (where known)$2,305$2,915
Max indexed award$11,000$9,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

Iowa and Minnesota present distinct scholarship climates for prospective students. Iowa has a total of 29 scholarships available with an average award size of $2,205. The maximum award can reach up to $11,000. Notable institutions in Iowa include the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association, each offering multiple grants.

In contrast, Minnesota boasts a larger pool of 36 scholarships, with an average award size of $3,125 and a maximum of $9,000. Key organizations such as the Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-Minnesota Council 5 provide significant funding opportunities.

Top Scholarship Providers in Iowa

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Minnesota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Iowa

Iowa's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities and lower average awards, appealing to applicants focused on local or niche scholarships.

Minnesota

Minnesota's scholarship environment is more favorable, with a higher volume of opportunities and larger average awards, attracting a broader range of applicants.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Iowa

Median household income

$74,077

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$967

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.97/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,540

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 23.88 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

higher indicator band

SVI counties

99

ADI counties

99

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 99 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 99 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Minnesota

Median household income

$89,564

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,046

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$56,920

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 22.22 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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

87

ADI counties

87

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 87 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 87 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 Iowa?
The average scholarship amount in Iowa is $2,205.
How many scholarships are available in Minnesota?
Minnesota offers a total of 36 scholarships.
Which state has higher maximum scholarship awards?
Iowa has a higher maximum scholarship award of $11,000 compared to Minnesota's $9,000.
What are some top universities offering scholarships in Iowa?
Top universities in Iowa include the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association.
Where can I find more information on scholarships?
You can visit the Federal Student Aid website or the College Scorecard for detailed scholarship information.

Sources and official pages

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

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