2026 Compare Cities Education:
Bowie, MD vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 18.8% less per student than Bowie.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 11.8% higher in West Des Moines than in Bowie. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 1.2% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Bowie
 Bowie, MDWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$15,913  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.89  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor338  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.9%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.19.7%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.48.8%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.0%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Reviews for Bowie    15 Reviews

Over 11 years ago

Bowie should have better department stores. One has to travel to another city to find a Nordstroms and other upscale stores. Bowie Towne Center seems to bring in lesser  More

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Over 11 years ago

I grew up in Bowie in the 1980s. At the time, despite being in PG County which was nicknamed DC's ugly city because its demographics and crime were similar to the  More

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Over 14 years ago

COST TO MUCH TO LIVE  More

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Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 17 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 17 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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