2026 Compare Cities Education:
Des Moines, IA vs San Marcos, TX

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Highlights
- San Marcos spends 1.8% less per student than Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 6.3% lower in San Marcos than in Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- San Marcos had 4.0% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Des Moines
 Des Moines, IASan Marcos, TXUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,040$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$5,953$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7124573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock4.0%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.6.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock90.5%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.2%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock6.8%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.28.1%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock8.7%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock3.3%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

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Dude · 
Over 6 years ago

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

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Over 7 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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Reviews for San Marcos    6 Reviews

An area with so much potential and existing natural beauty.Sadly bad urban planning is clearly obvious.Looks like fun for tens of thousands of students.However for the  More

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Over 17 years ago

San Marcos has the most beautiful people and places that I have ever seen throughout my travels. I love this city so much that I decided to settle down here and start a  More

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Over 18 years ago

I spent several summers and a couple winters in San Marcos during my formidable years and really have to tell those interested about what a nice town it is. The best  More

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