2025 Compare Cities Education:
Normal, IL vs Des Moines, IA

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Highlights
- Des Moines spends 15.8% less per student than Normal.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 17.8% higher in Des Moines than in Normal. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Des Moines had 10.6% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Normal
 Normal, ILDes Moines, IAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,293$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$15,275  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,373$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio13.18  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock7994573
 Students per Counselor756  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.5%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock87.1%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.8%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.52.3%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock6.2%9.3%
 Professional Degree2.2%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for Normal    5 Reviews

While not a perfect town by any stretch of the imagination, I have lived in Normal my entire life and I have to say that there are FAR worse places one could live. The  More

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Over 16 years ago

I would like to know more about the quality of education at Illinois State  More

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With relatively low crime, good schools and excellent access to higher education, Normal is a great place to raise a family. The city is trying to update its city center  More

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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

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Dude · 
Over 5 years ago

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

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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

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