2025 Compare Cities Education:
Las Cruces, NM vs Santa Maria, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Santa Maria spends 35.7% more per student than Las Cruces.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 39.6% higher in Santa Maria than in Las Cruces. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Santa Maria had 29.0% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Las Cruces
 Las Cruces, NMSanta Maria, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,705$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,055  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,862$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.05  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock123874573
 Students per Counselor468  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock27.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.6.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock62.2%88.9%
 Some College Educ.22.0%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.36.4%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock2.8%9.3%
 Professional Degree2.2%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.3%1.5%
Reviews for Las Cruces    50 Reviews

I've lived in Las Cruces for six months now. Before moving here I was in Albuquerque (3 hrs north) for four years and before that I lived in Northern Utah most of my  More

   |    Reply

Over 2 years ago

Las Cruces is a hidden gem! Homes are still affordable, you're not far from bigger city entertainment/transportation, and the scenery in beautiful. It's not all dry  More

   |    Reply

Over 4 years ago

It depends on what you are looking for; for me Las Cruces is and ideal place. I am retired and the kind of places I seek to live in have changed over the years. I have  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Las Cruces

Reviews for Santa Maria    12 Reviews

Over 6 years ago

I live in Orcutt which is a town of around 35,000 on the south side of Santa Maria. Santa Maria has, as everyone has noted, the best climate in the world. It never  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in Santa Maria / Orcutt for several years, but it is time to leave. I have no issues with the weather. Our climate is mild and comfortable with no extremes.  More

   |    Reply

The weather is very mild without a huge temperature change with the seasons. The winters are chilly but not cold and the summers are warm but not hot. Of course there  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Maria


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.