Iowa vs Rhode Island: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Rhode Island offers a higher average award size and more scholarship opportunities, making it more suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Iowa, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for specific local scholarships.
State A
Iowa
State B
Rhode Island
Quick comparison
| Metric | Iowa | Rhode Island |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 39 | 47 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $2,305 | $3,318 |
| Max indexed award | $11,000 | $17,000 |
Financial Aid Overview for 2026
Iowa and Rhode Island present distinct scholarship climates for applicants in 2026. Iowa offers a total of 29 scholarships with an average award size of approximately $2,205. The maximum award available is $11,000. Key institutions providing scholarships include the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association.
In contrast, Rhode Island boasts a larger volume of scholarship opportunities, totaling 37, with an average award size of around $3,227 and a maximum award of $17,000. Prominent scholarship providers include the Rhode Island Foundation and the Association of the United States Army-Rhode Island Chapter.
Top Scholarship Providers in Iowa
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
Top Scholarship Providers in Rhode Island
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 8 grants
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
Match workspace
Find scholarships that fit your profile
Scholarship climate by state
Iowa
Iowa's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities and lower average award sizes, making it more competitive for applicants seeking specific local scholarships.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island's scholarship landscape is more robust, with a higher number of awards and larger average amounts, appealing to 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
Median household income
Census ACSFair market rent (2BR)
HUD monthly estimateLiving wage
Single adult, MIT modelBLS median wage
State occupational estimateIowa
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.
Rhode Island
Median household income
$86,394
Census ACS
Fair market rent (2BR)
$1,873
HUD monthly estimate
Living wage
26.01/hr
Single adult, MIT model
BLS median wage
$56,780
State occupational estimate
Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 17.45 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
5
ADI counties
5
- CDC SVI county data is available for 5 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
- ADI block-group data is available across 5 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?
How many scholarships are available in Rhode Island?
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Rhode Island?
Sources and official pages
Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.
- Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- NCES College Navigator - government reference
- Iowa and Rhode Island scholarship search reference - high-authority reference
More guides around this State vs State comparison
Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Iowa and Rhode Island.
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