2025 Compare Cities Education:
Independence, MO vs Santa Cruz, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Santa Cruz spends 14.9% more per student than Independence.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 53.9% higher in Santa Cruz than in Independence. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Santa Cruz had 6.1% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Independence
 Independence, MOSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,364$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$12,022  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,688$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio14.19  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock62714573
 Students per Counselor424  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock2.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.7.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock95.7%88.9%
 Some College Educ.24.7%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock8.1%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.19.9%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock18.0%9.3%
 Professional Degree0.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock5.5%1.5%
Reviews for Independence    10 Reviews

The ice age sent glaciers sweeping south, ending at what is the edge of the Missouri River. Independence, Missouri, has artesian water straight from this glacial melt  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

I've lived here pretty much all my life, and I have to say, I'm ready to get out. I'm not sure if the crime here has just skyrocketed over recent years, or if I was just  More

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

Independence, Missouri is just like any other fairly large, fairly old town. A city approaching 200 years old and having nearly 120,000 residents is going to have both  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Independence

Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

   |    Reply

I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Cruz


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.