2025 Compare Cities Education:
Modesto, CA vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
- Santa Cruz spends 16.4% more per student than Modesto.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 0.5% lower in Santa Cruz than in Modesto. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Santa Cruz had 14.8% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Modesto
 Modesto, CASanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,364$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$12,636  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,688$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio21.95  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock62714573
 Students per Counselor729  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock2.3%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.8.7%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock95.7%88.9%
 Some College Educ.26.3%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock8.1%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.19.5%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock18.0%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.6%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock5.5%1.5%
Reviews for Modesto    35 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

I was born and raised here (still currently live here) and there are some nice areas and not so nice areas. I really think we need to improve our community and create  More

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Over 4 years ago

It's fine. Lived here for over 10 years. Here's my breakdown. CONS: Crime rate: mostly on the westside, unless you live in better developed areas. Summer weather:  More

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I know this website is probably only for adults, which I am not, but I thought perhaps adults would like to hear a kid's perspective of things, you know, if any adult  More

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Reviews for Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

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Over 5 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

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I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  More

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