← Back to State vs State

Massachusetts vs South Dakota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Massachusetts offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking significant financial support. South Dakota, while having fewer opportunities and lower average awards, may appeal to applicants looking for less competition.

State vs State

State A

Massachusetts

State B

South Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricMassachusettsSouth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog26819
Avg. award (where known)$3,188$2,133
Max indexed award$100,000$5,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Massachusetts presents a more favorable scholarship climate compared to South Dakota. With a total of 149 grants available, Massachusetts offers an average award size of $2,552.85, with the maximum award reaching $40,000. The top institutions in the state include Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Framingham State University, which collectively contribute to a diverse range of scholarship opportunities.

In contrast, South Dakota has a limited scholarship landscape, with only 15 grants available and an average award size of $2,178.57, capped at $5,000. The leading scholarship providers in South Dakota include the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association and Sigma Tau Delta, but the overall competition for these awards is less intense due to the smaller number of applicants.

Top Scholarship Providers in Massachusetts

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Top Scholarship Providers in South Dakota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Match workspace

Find scholarships that fit your profile

Find My Scholarships

Scholarship climate by state

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a vibrant scholarship climate with numerous opportunities and higher average awards, attracting a diverse applicant pool.

South Dakota

South Dakota's scholarship climate is less competitive, but it offers fewer opportunities and lower average awards, appealing to specific applicant groups.

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.

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 Massachusetts?
The average scholarship amount in Massachusetts is $2,552.85.
How many scholarships are available in South Dakota?
There are 15 scholarships available in South Dakota.
Which state has the highest maximum scholarship amount?
Massachusetts has the highest maximum scholarship amount at $40,000.
What are the top universities in Massachusetts for scholarships?
The top universities include Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Framingham State University.

Sources and official pages

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

More guides around this State vs State comparison

Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Massachusetts and South Dakota.

Related scholarship articles

Related essay guides