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Oregon vs South Dakota: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Oregon offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and a greater number of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. South Dakota, while having fewer opportunities and lower average awards, may appeal to those looking for specific niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Oregon

State B

South Dakota

Quick comparison

MetricOregonSouth Dakota
Active scholarships in catalog10219
Avg. award (where known)$4,558$2,133
Max indexed award$50,000$5,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Oregon presents a scholarship climate characterized by a total of 90 grants with an average award size of approximately $4,502. The state boasts several prominent institutions offering scholarships, including the Clackamas Community College Foundation, which provides 47 grants. In contrast, South Dakota has a more limited scholarship landscape, with only 15 grants available and an average award size of about $2,179. The South Dakota High School Rodeo Association is the leading provider in the state, offering 5 grants.

Top Scholarship Providers in Oregon

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in South Dakota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Oregon

Oregon's scholarship climate is vibrant, with a variety of opportunities and higher average award amounts, making it attractive for many applicants.

South Dakota

South Dakota's scholarship climate is more constrained, with fewer opportunities and lower average awards, appealing primarily to niche applicants.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

South Dakota

Median household income

$71,969

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$979

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,080

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.95 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

66

ADI counties

66

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 66 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 66 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 Oregon?
The average scholarship amount in Oregon is approximately $4,502.
How many scholarships are available in South Dakota?
There are 15 scholarships available in South Dakota.
Which university in Oregon offers the most scholarships?
Clackamas Community College Foundation offers the most scholarships in Oregon, with 47 grants.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in South Dakota?
The maximum scholarship amount in South Dakota is $5,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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