2025 Compare Cities Education:
Denver, CO vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 13.4% less per student than Denver.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 4.2% higher in West Des Moines than in Denver. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 7.3% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Denver
 Denver, COWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$12,519  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio14.9  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor411  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.5.0%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.16.0%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.52.5%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.5%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Reviews for Denver    470 Reviews

During my 25 years in Denver, I’ve witnessed trends found in other metro areas: homeless camps, panhandlers, worsening traffic, increased crime and rapidly appreciating  More

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I've lived in the Denver area for about eight years now. Moved here for college planning to get out as soon as I was done with college, and predictably got stuck  More

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I've lived in the city since I was born (1998) and I just was ready to get out. I'm a Denver native and I am ashamed of my city. I moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  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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