2025 Compare Cities Education:
Elgin, IL vs Surprise, AZ

Change Cities
Highlights
- Surprise spends 39.9% less per student than Elgin.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 26.5% higher in Surprise than in Elgin. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Surprise had 16.5% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Elgin
 Elgin, ILSurprise, AZUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$10,564$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$15,271  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$4,810$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio14.42  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock23484573
 Students per Counselor659  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.7%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.8.2%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock93.5%88.9%
 Some College Educ.21.6%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock10.8%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.26.0%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock8.5%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.0%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for Elgin    9 Reviews

When I first moved to Elgin 2 years ago I did not like it. I lived in a mobile home park near the river and highway 90 in a senior community that over prices it's lot  More

   |    Reply

Hi, as a way of updating the post for Elgin and providing a rebuttal for some of the negative reviews, I've decided to post on this board. I've lived in Elgin since  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

I have lived in Elgin my whole life and it is very sad to read these comments about my town.... I'm a senior at South Elgin High School and I will be graduating this  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Elgin

Reviews for Surprise    52 Reviews

I have lived in Surprise, Az. For the past 21 years. One of the best cities to live in Az. From the police department to maintaining the streets & freeways. One thing I  More

   |    Reply

I am an Arizona native - 55 years - and have lived in Surprise since 2003. I wouldn't live anywhere else! I have watched this place grow and prosper. It is very family  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

The city of surprise is a beautiful place. It would not be a good place to live however. They have a young eager police force. You are taking a BIG risk driving  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Surprise


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.