2026 Compare Cities Education:
San Marcos, CA vs Surprise, AZ

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Highlights
- Surprise spends 35.4% less per student than San Marcos.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 19.5% lower in Surprise than in San Marcos. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Surprise had 6.5% more residents who had graduated High School compared to San Marcos
 San Marcos, CASurprise, AZUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$10,564$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,161  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$4,810$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio22.65  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock23484573
 Students per Counselor513  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.7%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.5.4%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock93.5%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.5%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock10.8%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.40.9%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock8.5%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.9%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock0.8%1.5%
Reviews for San Marcos    5 Reviews

Just an amazing place to live. I have lived in 7 states and almost countless cities. Sam Marcos is one of the best. This is literally the longest place I have lived  More

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Over 16 years ago

Is this area to expensive for the average income retired  More

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Over 19 years ago

Beautiful Mediterranean climate with bright sunshine and ocean breazes. City is just 15 minutes away from the  More

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Reviews for Surprise    52 Reviews

I have lived in Surprise, Az. For the past 21 years. One of the best cities to live in Az. From the police department to maintaining the streets & freeways. One thing I  More

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I am an Arizona native - 55 years - and have lived in Surprise since 2003. I wouldn't live anywhere else! I have watched this place grow and prosper. It is very family  More

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Over 12 years ago

The city of surprise is a beautiful place. It would not be a good place to live however. They have a young eager police force. You are taking a BIG risk driving  More

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