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Maryland vs South Dakota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Maryland offers a higher average award size and more opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. South Dakota may appeal to those looking for a smaller, more focused scholarship environment.

State vs State

State A

Maryland

State B

South Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricMarylandSouth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog4919
Avg. award (where known)$2,922$2,133
Max indexed award$9,000$5,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Maryland presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of $3,131 and a total of 58 grants available. The top universities in Maryland include the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation and the Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington, which collectively offer a significant number of scholarships.

In contrast, South Dakota offers a smaller scholarship pool, with an average award size of $2,133 and 19 grants. Notable scholarship providers include the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association and Sigma Tau Delta. While the opportunities are fewer, they may cater to specific interests and needs.

Top Scholarship Providers in Maryland

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in South Dakota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Maryland

Maryland's scholarship climate is competitive, with a higher average award size and more grants available, making it attractive for diverse applicants.

South Dakota

South Dakota's scholarship climate is more limited, offering fewer opportunities but potentially less competition for applicants focused on specific scholarships.

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.

South Dakota

Median household income

$71,969

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$979

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,080

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.95 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

66

ADI counties

66

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 66 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 66 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 $3,131.
How many scholarships are available in South Dakota?
There are 19 scholarships available in South Dakota.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship amount?
Maryland has the highest maximum scholarship amount at $15,000.
What are some top scholarship providers in Maryland?
Top scholarship providers in Maryland include the Restaurant Association of Maryland Education Foundation and the Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington.
Is it easier to get a scholarship in South Dakota?
While there are fewer scholarships in South Dakota, the competition may be less intense, potentially making it easier for some applicants.

Sources and official pages

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

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