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Rhode Island vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Washington offers a more robust scholarship climate with a higher number of opportunities and average award sizes, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Rhode Island, while having fewer options, may appeal to those looking for targeted local scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Rhode Island

State B

Washington

Quick comparison

MetricRhode IslandWashington
Active scholarships in catalog47191
Avg. award (where known)$3,318$3,652
Max indexed award$17,000$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Rhode Island presents a total of 37 scholarships with an average award size of approximately $3,227. The maximum award available is $17,000. Notable scholarship providers include the Rhode Island Foundation and the Association of the United States Army-Rhode Island Chapter.

In contrast, Washington boasts a significantly larger scholarship pool, offering 124 scholarships with an average award size of around $3,739, and a maximum award of $25,000. Key scholarship organizations include the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington.

Top Scholarship Providers in Rhode Island

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

Rhode Island

Rhode Island's scholarship climate is characterized by a smaller number of opportunities and lower average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking local support.

Washington

Washington's scholarship environment is more favorable, with a higher volume of awards and larger average amounts, 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

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.

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 Rhode Island?
The average scholarship amount in Rhode Island is approximately $3,227.
How many scholarships are available in Washington?
Washington offers a total of 124 scholarships.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Washington?
The maximum scholarship award in Washington is $25,000.
Which university has the most scholarship opportunities in Rhode Island?
The Rhode Island Foundation has the most scholarship opportunities in Rhode Island, offering 8 grants.

Sources and official pages

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

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