2025 Compare Cities Education:
Independence, MO vs Surprise, AZ

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Highlights
- Surprise spends 25.8% less per student than Independence.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 28.5% higher in Surprise than in Independence. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Surprise had 3.7% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Independence
 Independence, MOSurprise, AZUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$10,564$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$12,022  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$4,810$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio14.19  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock23484573
 Students per Counselor424  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.7%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.7.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock93.5%88.9%
 Some College Educ.24.7%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock10.8%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.19.9%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock8.5%9.3%
 Professional Degree0.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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