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Minnesota vs Wisconsin: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Minnesota offers a higher average award size and a diverse range of scholarships, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Wisconsin, while having a larger number of grants, provides lower average awards, appealing to those who prioritize quantity over size.

State vs State

State A

Minnesota

State B

Wisconsin

Quick comparison

MetricMinnesotaWisconsin
Active scholarships in catalog4762
Avg. award (where known)$2,915$2,166
Max indexed award$9,000$12,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Minnesota presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of $3,125 and a maximum of $9,000 across 36 grants. The state is home to notable institutions such as the Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-Minnesota Council 5, which offer multiple scholarships.

In contrast, Wisconsin has a total of 58 grants available, with an average award size of approximately $2,134.48 and a maximum award of $12,000. Top scholarship providers include the National Dairy Shrine and the American Water Works Association-Wisconsin Section, reflecting a diverse range of opportunities.

Top Scholarship Providers in Minnesota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Wisconsin

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Minnesota

Minnesota's scholarship climate is characterized by higher average awards and fewer, but significant, scholarship opportunities.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin offers a larger number of scholarships, but with lower average award amounts, appealing to a broader applicant base.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Minnesota

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.

Wisconsin

Median household income

$76,621

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,061

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.45/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$50,270

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 26.16 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

72

ADI counties

72

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 72 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 72 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?
The average scholarship amount in Minnesota is $3,125.
How many scholarships are available in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a total of 58 scholarships available.
Which state has a higher maximum scholarship award?
Wisconsin has a higher maximum scholarship award of $12,000 compared to Minnesota's $9,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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