2025 Compare Cities Education:
Arcata, CA vs Santa Maria, CA

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Highlights
- Santa Maria spends 6.4% more per student than Arcata.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 11.3% higher in Santa Maria than in Arcata. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Santa Maria had 33.7% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Arcata
 Arcata, CASanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,705$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,439  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,862$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio18.88  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock123874573
 Students per Counselor659  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock27.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.3.9%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock62.2%88.9%
 Some College Educ.22.5%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.46.4%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock2.8%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.3%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 Santa Maria    12 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

I live in Orcutt which is a town of around 35,000 on the south side of Santa Maria. Santa Maria has, as everyone has noted, the best climate in the world. It never  More

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I have lived in Santa Maria / Orcutt for several years, but it is time to leave. I have no issues with the weather. Our climate is mild and comfortable with no extremes.  More

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The weather is very mild without a huge temperature change with the seasons. The winters are chilly but not cold and the summers are warm but not hot. Of course there  More

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