2025 Compare Cities Education:
Lafayette, IN vs West Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- West Des Moines spends 8.0% more per student than Lafayette.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 0.3% higher in West Des Moines than in Lafayette. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- West Des Moines had 7.5% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Lafayette
 Lafayette, INWest Des Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$10,502  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.48  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor697  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.6.7%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock96.6%88.9%
 Some College Educ.19.7%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.28.9%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock13.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree0.9%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.6%1.5%
Reviews for Lafayette    16 Reviews

Over 12 years ago

I have lived here for 12 years and in a smaller town 20 miles away for over 35 years and like the people. But crime is on the rise, more arrests lately related to people  More

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Over 13 years ago

Lafayette still has a small town atmosphere. It is a wonderful place to raise children. There is a strong sense of community. Unfotunately in recent years Lafayette has  More

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I can say I have lived in Lafayette Indiana for 25 years. I'll say that home is home...but I would honestly say in less your a college student at Purdue, I would never  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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