2025 Compare Cities Education:
Anchorage, AK vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 14.0% less per student than Anchorage.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 11.0% lower in West Des Moines than in Anchorage. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 2.6% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Anchorage
 Anchorage, AKWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$15,402  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio17.44  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor413  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.3.7%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.25.0%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.36.8%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree2.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Reviews for Anchorage    83 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

Anchorage had potential but with the massive amount of homeless the petty crime is on the rise. I chose to live in a town outside of Anchorage rather than the city for  More

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I lived in Anchorage for the better part of the 2010's. Pros: o Beautiful, mountain and ocean views; close to many hiking trails, campsites, fishing grounds,  More

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it's nice, i liked it when i grew up there. kinda wish i could move back, but i didn't really like being isolated from all the things like nordstrom, trader joe's,  More

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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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