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South Dakota vs Texas: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Texas offers a broader range of scholarship opportunities and higher average awards, making it more suitable for applicants seeking significant financial support. South Dakota, while having fewer options, may appeal to those looking for niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

South Dakota

State B

Texas

Quick comparison

MetricSouth DakotaTexas
Active scholarships in catalog19286
Avg. award (where known)$2,133$2,685
Max indexed award$5,000$15,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, South Dakota presents a scholarship climate with a total of 15 grants available, averaging approximately $2,179 per award, with a maximum award of $5,000. The top scholarship providers include the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association and Sigma Tau Delta, catering to specific student groups.

In contrast, Texas boasts a significantly larger scholarship landscape, with 151 grants totaling an average award amount of around $2,589, reaching up to $15,000. Notable scholarship organizations include the Alamo Colleges Foundation and Austin Community College, offering diverse opportunities for a wide range of applicants.

Top Scholarship Providers in South Dakota

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Texas

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

South Dakota

South Dakota's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities and smaller average awards, making it suitable for applicants focused on specific fields or local scholarships.

Texas

Texas offers a robust scholarship environment with a high volume of grants and larger average awards, ideal for applicants seeking extensive financial support across various disciplines.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

Texas

Median household income

$76,866

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,088

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.83/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,620

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 36.73 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

higher indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

254

ADI counties

246

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 254 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 246 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 South Dakota?
The average scholarship amount in South Dakota is approximately $2,179.
How many scholarships are available in Texas?
Texas has a total of 151 scholarships available for applicants.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Texas?
The maximum scholarship amount available in Texas is $15,000.
Which organizations provide scholarships in South Dakota?
Key organizations include the South Dakota High School Rodeo Association and Sigma Tau Delta.
What is the average scholarship amount in Texas?
The average scholarship amount in Texas is approximately $2,589.

Sources and official pages

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

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