← Back to State vs State

Montana vs North Dakota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? North Dakota offers a higher average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger scholarships. Montana has a wider variety of grants, appealing to those interested in niche opportunities.

State vs State

State A

Montana

State B

North Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricMontanaNorth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog3313
Avg. award (where known)$2,639$3,722
Max indexed award$25,000$15,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape in Montana and North Dakota presents distinct opportunities for applicants. Montana boasts a total of 38 grants with an average award size of approximately $2,527. In contrast, North Dakota offers 13 grants with a higher average award of around $3,722. This difference highlights the varied financial aid environments in these two states.

Montana's top universities include organizations like the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs, which provide specialized scholarships. North Dakota's notable institutions include AgCountry Farm Credit Services and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, which also cater to specific fields.

Top Scholarship Providers in Montana

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

Top Scholarship Providers in North 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

Montana

Montana's scholarship climate is characterized by a diverse range of smaller grants, appealing to applicants with specific interests.

North Dakota

North Dakota's scholarship environment is more focused on larger awards, making it attractive for those seeking substantial financial support.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Montana

Median household income

$69,565

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,129

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.91/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,740

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 36.77 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

56

ADI counties

56

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 56 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 56 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

North Dakota

Median household income

$76,193

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$963

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.00/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$52,480

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 24.02 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

53

ADI counties

53

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 53 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 53 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 Montana?
The average scholarship amount in Montana is approximately $2,527.
How many grants are available in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a total of 13 grants available for applicants.
Which state offers higher maximum scholarship amounts?
Montana offers a higher maximum scholarship amount of $25,000 compared to North Dakota's $15,000.
What types of organizations provide scholarships in Montana?
Organizations such as the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs provide scholarships in Montana.

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 Montana and North Dakota.

Related scholarship articles

Related essay guides