2025 Compare Cities Education:
Highlands Ranch, CO vs Costa Mesa, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Costa Mesa spends 20.3% more per student than Highlands Ranch.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 31.7% higher in Costa Mesa than in Highlands Ranch. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Costa Mesa had 11.4% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Highlands Ranch
 Highlands Ranch, COCosta Mesa, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$15,277$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$10,748  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,037$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio17.62  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock163834573
 Students per Counselor279  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.1%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.0.7%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.1%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.4%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.64.8%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock8.9%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.5%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.1%1.5%
Reviews for Highlands Ranch    20 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I was born and raised in Highlands Ranch and I know what you’re thinking. “This is a rich girl.” I am not. My parents moved here before it became rich and boujie and the  More

   |    Reply

Worked in the DTC and HR was an easy commute. The people are yuppy- scum-snobs, who do not thank you for holding the door open for their 3+ children, noses held high in  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

When we moved here from Denver, about 2.5 yrs ago, I did note the affluence, lack of diversity (compared to Denver) and seeming Stepford Wives phenomenon. It is all  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Highlands Ranch

Reviews for Costa Mesa    8 Reviews

Over 15 years ago

Costa mesa has awesome shopping but is way too crowded and I have had 3 cars stolen in the past 5 years along with countless break-ins and theft. Expensive. Close to  More

   |    Reply

Over 16 years ago

Costa Mesa has a near perfect climate . . . plenty of sun but rarely over 100 degrees (our house doesn't even have AC). Nestled between Newport Beach and Huntington  More

   |    Reply

We have a good amount of low-income, medium-income, and relatively high-income  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Costa Mesa


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.