2025 Compare Cities Education:
Ames, IA vs San Marcos, CA

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Highlights
- San Marcos spends 3.7% less per student than Ames.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 54.1% higher in San Marcos than in Ames. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- San Marcos had 9.5% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Ames
 Ames, IASan Marcos, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,358$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,178  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,084$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio14.7  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock187444573
 Students per Counselor346  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.3%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.8%88.9%
 Some College Educ.15.9%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock8.4%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.61.4%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock10.2%9.3%
 Professional Degree2.4%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.7%1.5%
Reviews for Ames    12 Reviews

Over 13 years ago

Hello, I am in San Jose Ca, but am seriously thinking of moving somewhere much slower for a better quality of living. I've just turned 59, so I'm kinda preparing for  More

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Over 13 years ago

Like every other city Ames has both good and bad points. The good points are: low cost of living, very friendly people, lots of outdoor activities and quite a few events  More

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Ames enjoys a high quality of life at a very affordable cost, substantially lower than many other communities. The presence of Iowa State University, a large (28,000  More

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Reviews for San Marcos    5 Reviews

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

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Over 15 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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Over 18 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

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