Massachusetts vs Tennessee: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Massachusetts offers a broader range of scholarship opportunities with higher average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Tennessee, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for specific, smaller awards.
State A
Massachusetts
State B
Tennessee
Quick comparison
| Metric | Massachusetts | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 268 | 40 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $3,188 | $4,959 |
| Max indexed award | $100,000 | $50,000 |
Financial Aid Overview for 2026
In 2026, Massachusetts presents a robust scholarship landscape with a total of 149 grants available, averaging $2,552.85. The maximum award can reach up to $40,000, making it an attractive option for students seeking significant financial support. Top universities in the state include Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Framingham State University, which collectively offer numerous scholarships.
In contrast, Tennessee has a more limited scholarship offering, with only 21 grants available, averaging $3,450 and a maximum award of $10,000. The scholarship opportunities are fewer and may cater to specific needs or demographics. Notable institutions providing scholarships include Playmakers Nashville and Action Air & Electric Inc.
Top Scholarship Providers in Massachusetts
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 233 grants
- 47 grants
- 42 grants
- 41 grants
- 22 grants
Top Scholarship Providers in Tennessee
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 5 grants
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
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Scholarship climate by state
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a vibrant scholarship climate with a high number of grants and substantial average award sizes, ideal for diverse applicant needs.
Tennessee
Tennessee's scholarship climate is more niche, with fewer opportunities but potentially valuable for applicants aligned with specific scholarship criteria.
Public reference data
Cost of living & wages
State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.
Visual comparison
Median household income
Census ACSFair market rent (2BR)
HUD monthly estimateLiving wage
Single adult, MIT modelBLS median wage
State occupational estimateMassachusetts
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.
Tennessee
Median household income
$69,008
Census ACS
Fair market rent (2BR)
$1,015
HUD monthly estimate
Living wage
19.90/hr
Single adult, MIT model
BLS median wage
$47,380
State occupational estimate
Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 53.93 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
95
ADI counties
95
- CDC SVI county data is available for 95 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
- ADI block-group data is available across 95 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?
How many scholarships are available in Tennessee?
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Massachusetts?
Which university in Massachusetts offers the most scholarships?
Sources and official pages
Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.
- Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) - government reference
- NCES College Navigator - government reference
- Massachusetts and Tennessee scholarship search reference - high-authority reference
More guides around this State vs State comparison
Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Massachusetts and Tennessee.
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