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Washington vs West Virginia: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Washington offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and more opportunities compared to West Virginia, making it suitable for applicants seeking greater financial support.

State vs State

State A

Washington

State B

West Virginia

Quick comparison

MetricWashingtonWest Virginia
Active scholarships in catalog19125
Avg. award (where known)$3,652$2,486
Max indexed award$25,000$9,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Washington presents a favorable scholarship climate with a total of 124 grants available, averaging approximately $3,739 per award. The maximum award can reach up to $25,000, providing substantial support for students. Key institutions such as Wenatchee Valley College Foundation and Community Foundation for Southwest Washington lead in grant offerings.

Conversely, West Virginia has a more limited scholarship landscape, with only 17 grants available and an average award size of about $2,259. The maximum award in this state is capped at $9,000. Notable organizations include the American Water Works Association-West Virginia Section and Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation.

Top Scholarship Providers in Washington

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in West Virginia

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Washington

Washington offers a vibrant scholarship environment with numerous opportunities and higher average awards, making it ideal for applicants seeking significant financial aid.

West Virginia

West Virginia presents a more constrained scholarship climate, with fewer opportunities and lower average awards, which may be less appealing for applicants needing substantial funding.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

West Virginia

Median household income

$58,760

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$929

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.33/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$45,300

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 25.59 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

higher indicator band

SVI counties

55

ADI counties

55

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 55 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 55 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 Washington?
The average scholarship amount in Washington is approximately $3,739.
How many scholarships are available in West Virginia?
There are 17 scholarships available in West Virginia.
What is the maximum scholarship award in Washington?
The maximum scholarship award in Washington can reach up to $25,000.
Which universities offer the most scholarships in Washington?
Top universities offering scholarships in Washington include Wenatchee Valley College Foundation and Community Foundation for Southwest Washington.

Sources and official pages

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

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