2025 Compare Cities Education:
Des Moines, IA vs Alpena, MI

Change Cities
Highlights
- Alpena spends 20.1% less per student than Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 12.5% higher in Alpena than in Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Alpena had 6.6% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Des Moines
 Des Moines, IAAlpena, MIUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$11,417$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$6,243$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock8134573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.6%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.6.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock92.8%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.2%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock15.0%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.28.1%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock4.8%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.2%1.5%
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

   |    Reply

Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Moines

Reviews for Alpena    5 Reviews

One of the ten best places to visit in Michigan. I was born and raised in Michigan but now live in Seattle. I get back to Michigan frequently because my brother  More

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

Alpena is 740 ft above sea leval and gets 72 in. of snow every year. That's a good thing and Alpena is a winter wonderland for me . Clean and crisp with the lake frozen  More

   |    Reply

Alpena is a town for all ages, with plenty to do, more than one person could attend. I think the events are varied and offer something for everyone. The town is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Alpena


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.