2025 Compare Cities Education:
Arcata, CA vs Petaluma, CA

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Highlights
- Petaluma spends 7.3% more per student than Arcata.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 10.3% higher in Petaluma than in Arcata. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Petaluma had 3.5% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Arcata
 Arcata, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,850$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,439  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,508$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio18.88  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock142404573
 Students per Counselor659  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock4.6%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.3.9%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock90.5%88.9%
 Some College Educ.22.5%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.4%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.46.4%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock9.9%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.4%1.5%
Reviews for Arcata    17 Reviews

Pros: Nature hikes Cons: One of highest crime rates in the nation. Opioid epidemic going on (you’ll regularly witness drug deals and ppl doing drugs) No  More

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It takes a special set of preferences to select Arcata. Is this you? - You love clouds and fog. You are happy if you see the sun maybe 10-20 times a year. - Chilly  More

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Over 11 years ago

I've lived in Humboldt for over 30 yrs and know all the areas well. Arcata is the jewel of Humboldt due to having a university and many liberal creative people. There is  More

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Reviews for Petaluma    16 Reviews

I agree with the low star reviews. Been here for 25 years, raised a family and seen everything turn to the left and worse. Weather is glorious, love the old Victorians  More

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We’ve lived here for 3 years and we love it. It has taken some time to grow on us. We moved from SF where we had lived over 15 years, we were not used to one year leases  More

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I’ve lived here a couple of years (after living in others parts of the Bay Area for 15+ years) and I love it! Great neighborhoods, friendly folks, good schools with  More

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