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Massachusetts vs New York: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Massachusetts offers a higher number of scholarships with a lower average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking more opportunities. New York, with its larger average awards, may appeal to those looking for substantial funding.

State vs State

State A

Massachusetts

State B

New York

Quick comparison

MetricMassachusettsNew York
Active scholarships in catalog26873
Avg. award (where known)$3,188$3,982
Max indexed award$100,000$50,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Massachusetts presents a scholarship climate characterized by a total of 149 grants, with an average award size of approximately $2,552. The maximum award available is $40,000. The top universities in Massachusetts, such as Worcester State University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, contribute significantly to the scholarship opportunities available to students.

In contrast, New York offers a more limited number of scholarships, totaling 55, but with a higher average award size of about $4,273 and a maximum award of $50,000. Notable institutions like the United States Tennis Association lead the way in providing funding, although the overall number of grants is lower than in Massachusetts.

Top Scholarship Providers in Massachusetts

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in New York

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a vibrant scholarship climate with numerous opportunities, though the average award size is lower compared to New York.

New York

New York offers fewer scholarships, but the average award size is significantly higher, making it appealing for applicants seeking larger funding.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

New York

Median household income

$89,717

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,332

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

24.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$59,670

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 26.65 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

62

ADI counties

62

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 62 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 62 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 Massachusetts?
The average scholarship amount in Massachusetts is approximately $2,552.
How many scholarships are available in New York?
There are a total of 55 scholarships available in New York.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship award?
New York has the highest maximum scholarship award at $50,000.
What are the top universities for scholarships in Massachusetts?
The top universities include Worcester State University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Sources and official pages

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

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