2025 Compare Cities Education:
Mason City, IA vs Altoona, PA

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Highlights
- Altoona spends 22.1% more per student than Mason City.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 1.8% higher in Altoona than in Mason City. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Altoona had 1.8% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Mason City
 Mason City, IAAltoona, PAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$17,215$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$12,699  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,226$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.42  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock9454573
 Students per Counselor335  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.9%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.5.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock91.2%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.0%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.20.9%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock4.6%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.5%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.4%1.5%
Reviews for Mason City    8 Reviews

I am from the area originally and have lived several places. I recently moved back from Arizona. I moved back to help with my elderly parents. If I did not have  More

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Over 13 years ago

Where to begin?? Murder,arson,abductions,beastialty,gang killings,meth labs,pantie thiefs. High utility bills, no jobs, corrupt police, evil judges, minus 40 below wind  More

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Over 14 years ago

Unless you have a tie to Mason City, such as family, don't even consider this desolate town. The population is declining rapidly for a reason. You are on an island,  More

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Reviews for Altoona    11 Reviews

Sun rises and sets over 2000+ ft. mountains, which does seem to shorten your summer days. It gets hot and humid in the summer, with not a lot of wind or airflow,  More

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Over 5 years ago

Though the climate in Altoona is cold in the Winter, it does often get less snow than Western Pennsylvania because of the Allegheny Front mountain range just to the west  More

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I grew up in Hollidaysburg near Altoona. The city has had its ups and downs throughout the years but all in all I think that central PA has the most beautiful scenery  More

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