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Oregon vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Oregon offers a higher average award size and a diverse range of scholarships, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial funding. Washington, while having a larger number of grants, offers lower average awards, appealing to those who may need more frequent but smaller financial support.

State vs State

State A

Oregon

State B

Washington

Quick comparison

MetricOregonWashington
Active scholarships in catalog102191
Avg. award (where known)$4,558$3,652
Max indexed award$50,000$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Oregon presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of $4,502.13, significantly higher than Washington's $3,738.70. Oregon has a total of 90 grants available, while Washington leads with 124 grants. The maximum award in Oregon is $50,000, compared to $25,000 in Washington, indicating a potential for larger financial support in Oregon.

Top universities in Oregon include Clackamas Community College Foundation, which offers 47 grants, and the Oregon Nurses Association with 3 grants. In Washington, Wenatchee Valley College Foundation stands out with 27 grants, followed by the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington with 25 grants. This analysis highlights the differences in scholarship availability and award sizes between the two states, aiding applicants in making informed decisions.

Top Scholarship Providers in Oregon

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Washington

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Oregon

Oregon's scholarship climate is characterized by higher average awards and fewer total grants, attracting applicants looking for significant funding.

Washington

Washington's climate offers a greater number of grants but with lower average award sizes, appealing to those who may prefer smaller, more frequent financial assistance.

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.

Washington

Median household income

$97,733

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,418

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.29/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$62,990

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.40 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

lower indicator band

SVI counties

39

ADI counties

39

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 39 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 39 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 $4,502.13.
How many scholarships are available in Washington?
Washington has a total of 124 scholarships available.
Which state offers the highest maximum scholarship amount?
Oregon offers the highest maximum scholarship amount of $50,000.
What are the top universities for scholarships in Oregon?
The top universities for scholarships in Oregon include Clackamas Community College Foundation and the Oregon Nurses Association.

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 Oregon and Washington.

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