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Washington vs Wisconsin: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Washington offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial aid. Wisconsin, while having fewer opportunities and lower average awards, may appeal to those looking for specific niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Washington

State B

Wisconsin

Quick comparison

MetricWashingtonWisconsin
Active scholarships in catalog19162
Avg. award (where known)$3,652$2,166
Max indexed award$25,000$12,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Washington presents a more favorable scholarship environment compared to Wisconsin. With an average award size of approximately $3,739 and a total of 124 grants available, Washington's scholarship opportunities are significantly more abundant. In contrast, Wisconsin offers an average award of about $2,134, with only 58 grants available. The maximum scholarship amounts also reflect this disparity, with Washington's maximum reaching $25,000 compared to Wisconsin's $12,000.

Washington's top universities for scholarships include Wenatchee Valley College Foundation, Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, and Community Foundation of North Central Washington, which collectively offer a substantial number of grants. Wisconsin's top institutions, such as the National Dairy Shrine and American Water Works Association-Wisconsin Section, provide fewer opportunities but may cater to specific fields of study.

Top Scholarship Providers in Washington

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Wisconsin

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Washington

Washington's scholarship climate is vibrant, with a high volume of opportunities and significant average award sizes, making it ideal for a wide range of applicants.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin's scholarship landscape is more limited, with fewer opportunities and lower average awards, which may suit applicants focused on niche scholarships.

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.

Wisconsin

Median household income

$76,621

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,061

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.45/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$50,270

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 26.16 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

72

ADI counties

72

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 72 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 72 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a total of 58 scholarships available.
Which state offers higher maximum scholarship amounts?
Washington offers a higher maximum scholarship amount of $25,000 compared to Wisconsin's $12,000.
What are some top scholarship providers in Washington?
Top scholarship providers 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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