2025 Compare Cities Education:
Chicago, IL vs Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- Des Moines spends 34.8% less per student than Chicago.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 11.2% higher in Des Moines than in Chicago. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Des Moines had 0.9% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Chicago
 Chicago, ILDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$18,508  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.97  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor481  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.5%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.6.8%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.1%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.0%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.41.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock6.2%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.6%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

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Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

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Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

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