2025 Compare Cities Education:
Santa Cruz, CA vs Rio Rancho, NM

Change Cities
Highlights
- Rio Rancho spends 15.2% less per student than Santa Cruz.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 30.6% lower in Rio Rancho than in Santa Cruz. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Rio Rancho had 1.5% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to Santa Cruz
 Santa Cruz, CARio Rancho, NMUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$13,881$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,552  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$6,119$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio21.84  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock9434573
 Students per Counselor473  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.6%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.1.9%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock94.3%88.9%
 Some College Educ.19.7%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock12.5%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.56.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock9.1%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.9%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.3%1.5%
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Cruz

Reviews for Rio Rancho    21 Reviews

I have lived in the area for the past three years with my husband. Although vastly better than Albuquerque, this is not a safe area. We have had overt and petty crime on  More

   |    Reply

The pros: -Fairly good year-round weather. Sunny days outnumber cloudy days, there are days when the temps fall below freezing and the sun will still be shining. It's  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Affordable housing, low crime (compared to Albuquerque), awesome weather with all 4 seasons, beautiful environment and some pretty awesome people. I love Rio Rancho,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Rio Rancho


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.