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Pennsylvania vs Rhode Island: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Pennsylvania offers a larger number of scholarships and higher maximum awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking significant financial support. Rhode Island, while having a smaller volume, provides slightly higher average awards, appealing to those who may prioritize smaller, more accessible opportunities.

State vs State

State A

Pennsylvania

State B

Rhode Island

Quick comparison

MetricPennsylvaniaRhode Island
Active scholarships in catalog12547
Avg. award (where known)$3,131$3,318
Max indexed award$40,000$17,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

Pennsylvania presents a robust scholarship climate with a total of 101 grants available, averaging $3,000 per award, and a maximum award size of $40,000. The top universities in Pennsylvania include the Philadelphia Foundation with 22 grants, POISE Foundation with 15, and several others contributing to a diverse funding landscape.

In contrast, Rhode Island has 37 grants available, with an average award size of approximately $3,227 and a maximum of $17,000. Key scholarship providers include the Rhode Island Foundation, which offers 8 grants, and other organizations that support local students.

Top Scholarship Providers in Pennsylvania

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Rhode Island

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a vibrant scholarship environment with numerous opportunities and high maximum awards, making it an attractive option for many applicants.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island offers a smaller selection of scholarships but with slightly higher average awards, which may be beneficial for applicants looking for targeted support.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

Rhode Island

Median household income

$86,394

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,873

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

26.01/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$56,780

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 17.45 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

5

ADI counties

5

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 5 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 5 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 Pennsylvania?
The average scholarship amount in Pennsylvania is $3,000.
How many scholarships are available in Rhode Island?
There are 37 scholarships available in Rhode Island.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Pennsylvania?
The maximum scholarship award in Pennsylvania is $40,000.
Which organization offers the most scholarships in Pennsylvania?
The Philadelphia Foundation offers the most scholarships in Pennsylvania with 22 grants.

Sources and official pages

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

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