2026 Compare Cities Education:
Dallas, TX vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 8.5% more per student than Dallas.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 3.5% higher in West Des Moines than in Dallas. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 21.4% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Dallas
 Dallas, TXWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$10,291  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.01  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor361  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.9.0%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.4%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.35.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.2%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Reviews for Dallas    228 Reviews

I seldom review anything but I was inspired by reading the other Dallas reviews to add my two cents. I’ve been here since 2015 and we hope to leave when we can get jobs  More

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I have lived in Dallas, as well as areas around the Dallas Metroplex, for over 20 years. With that said, what I have seen in that time, has not been overly pleasing; and  More

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There is only one thing I found to be relatively good in this city: upscale restaurants. The food is tasty but only in upscale restaurants, I am vegan, and still found  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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