2025 Compare Cities Education:
Lawrence, KS vs Des Moines, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Des Moines spends 7.6% more per student than Lawrence.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 12.8% higher in Des Moines than in Lawrence. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Des Moines had 9.5% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Lawrence
 Lawrence, KSDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,316  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.77  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor539  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.5%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.9%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.1%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.9%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.55.8%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock6.2%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.1%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for Lawrence    19 Reviews

Over 10 years ago

I don't know why people have written negative reviews about Lawrence, but I have lived here for two years and love it. The quality of life is great - it is a college  More

   |    Reply

Over 12 years ago

Great college town, wonderful people and community. Fun  More

   |    Reply

Over 13 years ago

While I was a grad student at KU I lived in Lawrence, KS. I was unimpressed by the town and even less impressed by the over-inflated ego of its inhabitants. Let's be  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lawrence

Reviews for Des Moines    53 Reviews

Des Moines is a ok and pretty quiet place but as a teen it could be dramatic because Des Moines do have is fair or violents places to avoid in Des Moines would be the  More

   |    Reply

Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

This city is violent, there are too many gangs especially on the north  More

   |    Reply

Over 6 years ago

Good for the old that like slow pace and cheap buffets. Also good for non-descript mid-westerners that don't like a lot of action. No nightlife or mountains to hike  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Des Moines


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.