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Missouri vs Pennsylvania: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Missouri offers a moderate number of scholarships with a higher average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial funding. Pennsylvania, with a larger volume of opportunities, may appeal to those looking for a wider range of options.

State vs State

State A

Missouri

State B

Pennsylvania

Quick comparison

MetricMissouriPennsylvania
Active scholarships in catalog50125
Avg. award (where known)$4,767$3,131
Max indexed award$12,000$40,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Missouri presents a scholarship climate characterized by an average award size of approximately $4,805, with a maximum award reaching $12,000. The state has a total of 42 grants available, primarily from notable institutions such as the American Angus Association and The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis. In contrast, Pennsylvania boasts a more extensive scholarship landscape, featuring 101 grants with an average award size of $3,000 and a maximum of $40,000. Key providers include the Philadelphia Foundation and the POISE Foundation, offering diverse funding opportunities for students.

Top Scholarship Providers in Missouri

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Pennsylvania

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Missouri

Missouri's scholarship climate is moderate, with fewer opportunities but higher average awards, making it appealing for applicants needing significant financial support.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers a larger volume of scholarships, providing applicants with a broader range of choices, albeit at a lower average award size.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Missouri

Median household income

$70,533

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$931

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.36/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,800

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 43.44 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

115

ADI counties

115

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 115 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 115 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Pennsylvania

Median household income

$78,689

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,133

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.17/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$49,690

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.55 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

67

ADI counties

67

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 67 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 67 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 Missouri?
The average scholarship amount in Missouri is approximately $4,805.
How many scholarships are available in Pennsylvania?
There are 101 scholarships available in Pennsylvania.
Which state has a higher maximum scholarship award?
Pennsylvania has a higher maximum scholarship award of $40,000 compared to Missouri's $12,000.
What are some top scholarship providers in Missouri?
Top scholarship providers in Missouri include the American Angus Association and The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.
Where can I find more information about scholarships?
You can find more information about scholarships at the Federal Student Aid website or the College Scorecard.

Sources and official pages

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

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