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Montana vs Oregon: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Oregon offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and more opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Montana, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Montana

State B

Oregon

Quick comparison

MetricMontanaOregon
Active scholarships in catalog33102
Avg. award (where known)$2,639$4,558
Max indexed award$25,000$50,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape in Montana and Oregon presents distinct opportunities for applicants. Montana offers a total of 27 scholarships with an average award size of approximately $2,708, while Oregon boasts a significantly larger pool of 90 scholarships with an average award size of about $4,502. The maximum scholarship amounts also differ, with Montana offering up to $25,000 and Oregon up to $50,000. The top universities in Montana include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs, while Oregon's Clackamas Community College Foundation leads with the highest number of grants.

Top Scholarship Providers in Montana

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Oregon

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Montana

Montana's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities and lower average awards, making it suitable for applicants targeting specific scholarships.

Oregon

Oregon's scholarship climate is more favorable, with a higher volume of opportunities and larger average awards, appealing to a broader range of applicants.

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.

Oregon

Median household income

$82,098

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,374

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

24.63/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$57,000

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

middle indicator band

SVI counties

36

ADI counties

36

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 36 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 36 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 $2,708.
How many scholarships are available in Oregon?
Oregon offers a total of 90 scholarships.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Oregon?
The maximum scholarship amount in Oregon is $50,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Montana and Oregon.

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