2025 Compare Cities Education:
Cedar Rapids, IA vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 11.1% less per student than Cedar Rapids.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 5.6% higher in West Des Moines than in Cedar Rapids. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 3.0% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Cedar Rapids
 Cedar Rapids, IAWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,730  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio14.7  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor365  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.4.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.22.8%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.32.8%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree2.0%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Reviews for Cedar Rapids    39 Reviews

My biggest gripe is the winter weather and more specifically the wind. The wind does not stop blowing the entire winter. It starts around November when NW winds start  More

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Over 4 years ago

Such a horrible place. The racism is too much. You cant even take a walk to the park without hearing a racial insult thrown at you. You cant even go to the store  More

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I grew up here, moved away, came back to raise my family and have been back since 1993. I love this city!!! There is SOOO much to do. There are 3-4 community theatre  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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