2025 Compare Cities Education:
Cary, NC vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 23.0% more per student than Cary.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 2.8% higher in West Des Moines than in Cary. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 0.0% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Cary
 Cary, NCWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$9,531  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.11  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor300  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.0%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.12.2%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.69.5%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.6%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Reviews for Cary    63 Reviews

Cary is up-and-coming “cool.” The downtown is revitalized and growing. The town takes urban planning very seriously. The home prices have definitely spiked in the last  More

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Over 8 years ago

I've lived in NY, CT, MA, and in Miami FL. Now here in Cary NC for the past 10 years. For what I want and need at this phase of my life, I really like it here! All the  More

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Over 8 years ago

As a Real Estate Agent, I consider Cary the most central location in the Triangle, it basically takes you twenty minutes to get to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough,   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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