Minnesota vs West Virginia: Scholarship Climate 2026
Which climate fits best? Minnesota offers a slightly higher average award size and more scholarship opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking greater financial support. West Virginia, while having fewer opportunities, still provides significant awards, appealing to those focused on specific local scholarships.
State A
Minnesota
State B
West Virginia
Quick comparison
| Metric | Minnesota | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Active scholarships in catalog | 47 | 25 |
| Avg. award (where known) | $2,915 | $2,486 |
| Max indexed award | $9,000 | $9,000 |
Financial Aid Overview for 2026
In 2026, Minnesota presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 53 grants available, averaging $2,743.94 per award. The maximum award size reaches $9,000, providing substantial financial support for students. Notable institutions offering scholarships include the Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-Minnesota Council 5.
Conversely, West Virginia has a total of 29 grants, with an average award size of $2,488.60, also capped at $9,000. While the number of scholarships is lower than in Minnesota, West Virginia's offerings still cater to a variety of students, with institutions like the American Water Works Association-West Virginia Section leading the way.
Top Scholarship Providers in Minnesota
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 4 grants
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
Top Scholarship Providers in West Virginia
Ranked by number of active scholarships
- 2 grants
- 2 grants
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
- 1 grant
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Scholarship climate by state
Minnesota
Minnesota's scholarship climate is characterized by a higher volume of opportunities and larger average awards, making it favorable for applicants seeking extensive financial aid.
West Virginia
West Virginia's scholarship landscape, while smaller, still provides valuable funding options, particularly for those interested in localized scholarships.
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 estimateMinnesota
Median household income
$89,564
Census ACS
Fair market rent (2BR)
$1,046
HUD monthly estimate
Living wage
21.55/hr
Single adult, MIT model
BLS median wage
$56,920
State occupational estimate
Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 22.22 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
lower indicator band
ADI band
middle indicator band
SVI counties
87
ADI counties
87
- CDC SVI county data is available for 87 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
- ADI block-group data is available across 87 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.
West Virginia
Median household income
$58,760
Census ACS
Fair market rent (2BR)
$929
HUD monthly estimate
Living wage
19.33/hr
Single adult, MIT model
BLS median wage
$45,300
State occupational estimate
Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 25.59 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
higher indicator band
SVI counties
55
ADI counties
55
- CDC SVI county data is available for 55 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
- ADI block-group data is available across 55 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 Minnesota?
How many scholarships are available in West Virginia?
What is the maximum scholarship amount in both states?
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
- Minnesota and West Virginia 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 Minnesota and West Virginia.
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