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Iowa vs Utah: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Iowa offers a solid number of scholarships with a lower average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking smaller financial aid opportunities. Utah, with a higher average award size, may better serve those looking for more substantial funding.

State vs State

State A

Iowa

State B

Utah

Quick comparison

MetricIowaUtah
Active scholarships in catalog3923
Avg. award (where known)$2,305$2,800
Max indexed award$11,000$9,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Iowa presents a scholarship climate characterized by 39 available grants, with an average award size of approximately $2,305. The highest award can reach up to $11,000, making it a viable option for applicants seeking smaller funding amounts. Notable scholarship providers in Iowa include the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Iowa Girls' Coaches Association.

Conversely, Utah offers a total of 27 grants with a higher average award size of about $2,813, and a maximum award of $9,000. This state may appeal to applicants looking for more significant financial support. Key scholarship organizations in Utah include the American Water Works Association-Intermountain Section and the Fowler Family.

Top Scholarship Providers in Iowa

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Utah

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Iowa

Iowa has a competitive scholarship environment with a moderate number of grants and lower average award sizes, appealing to those seeking smaller amounts.

Utah

Utah's scholarship climate features fewer grants but higher average award sizes, making it attractive for applicants needing larger financial assistance.

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.

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 Iowa?
The average scholarship amount in Iowa is approximately $2,305.
How many scholarships are available in Utah?
Utah has a total of 27 scholarships available.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Iowa?
The maximum scholarship amount in Iowa can reach up to $11,000.
Which state offers higher average scholarship amounts?
Utah offers higher average scholarship amounts at approximately $2,813.

Sources and official pages

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

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