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Maryland vs Massachusetts: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Maryland offers a moderate average award size with fewer opportunities, suitable for applicants seeking targeted funding. Massachusetts has a higher volume of grants and a wider range of award sizes, ideal for those looking for more options.

State vs State

State A

Maryland

State B

Massachusetts

Quick comparison

MetricMarylandMassachusetts
Active scholarships in catalog49268
Avg. award (where known)$2,922$3,188
Max indexed award$9,000$100,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship climate in Maryland presents a total of 36 grants with an average award size of approximately $2,907. The maximum award available is $9,000. The top universities in Maryland include the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation and the Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington.

In contrast, Massachusetts boasts a significantly higher total of 149 grants available to students, with an average award size of about $2,553 and a maximum award reaching $40,000. Notable institutions providing scholarships include Worcester State University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Top Scholarship Providers in Maryland

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Massachusetts

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Maryland

Maryland's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities and moderate average award sizes, making it suitable for applicants who can target specific funding sources.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts offers a broader range of scholarships with a higher total volume and maximum award size, appealing to a wider array of applicants.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Maryland

Median household income

$104,998

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,372

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

24.15/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$59,510

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 36.28 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

24

ADI counties

24

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 24 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 24 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Massachusetts

Median household income

$103,563

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$2,161

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

29.13/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$63,590

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 26.85 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

lower indicator band

SVI counties

14

ADI counties

14

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 14 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 14 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 Maryland?
The average scholarship amount in Maryland is approximately $2,907.
How many scholarships are available in Massachusetts?
There are 149 scholarships available in Massachusetts.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Massachusetts?
The maximum scholarship award in Massachusetts can reach up to $40,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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