2025 Compare Cities Education:
Independence, MO vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 0.3% more per student than Independence.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 9.4% higher in West Des Moines than in Independence. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 7.2% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Independence
 Independence, MOWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$12,022  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio14.19  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor424  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.7.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.24.7%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.19.9%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree0.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%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 West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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