2025 Compare Cities Education:
Chicago, IL vs Iowa City, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Iowa City spends 19.0% less per student than Chicago.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 0.6% lower in Iowa City than in Chicago. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Iowa City had 12.6% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Chicago
 Chicago, ILIowa City, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$17,755$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$18,508  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,669$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.97  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock5004573
 Students per Counselor481  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.6%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.6.8%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock97.2%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.0%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.3%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.41.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock17.1%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.6%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock8.0%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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chicago

Reviews for Iowa City    24 Reviews

Over 5 years ago

I was there 5 years. Nothing to do but we’ll go shopping... at Walmart. It lacks so many things. There is no experience here, it jumps on any political band wagon and  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Entertainment lacks greatly - especially the Hancher shows. I was hoping after they rebuilt they would be getting better shows there, that didn't happen. One has to  More

   |    Reply

Over 7 years ago

Iowa City is great. It's diverse and never boring. There always a variety of new shops and restaurants to explore and try out. Also watching college kids do stupid  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Iowa City


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.