2025 Compare Cities Education:
Lincoln, NE vs Des Moines, IA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Des Moines spends 9.6% more per student than Lincoln.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 13.3% higher in Des Moines than in Lincoln. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Des Moines had 6.3% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Lincoln
 Lincoln, NEDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,921  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.71  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor387  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.5%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.4.0%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.1%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.9%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.40.1%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock6.2%9.3%
 Professional Degree2.2%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for Lincoln    67 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I've lived in Lincoln since 1965. Since the Boosalis Administration the city has been in a slow continual decline despite a growing population. Downtown Lincoln is  More

   |    Reply

I grew up in Lincoln. As a child I have nothing but fond memories of this city. I moved around a few times, places including Crete, and Omaha. Lincoln gives you the best  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

I've lived in Lincoln for 7 years and love it. Communities are safe, and if you forget to close your garage door, neighbors will call you. There are lots of trails that  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Lincoln

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.