2026 Compare Cities Education:
Santa Maria, CA vs Fernandina Beach, FL

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Highlights
- Fernandina Beach spends 40.1% less per student than Santa Maria.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 20.2% lower in Fernandina Beach than in Santa Maria. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Fernandina Beach had 53.5% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Santa Maria
 Santa Maria, CAFernandina Beach, FLUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$10,000$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,158  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$5,396$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio21.01  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock6524573
 Students per Counselor539  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock2.2%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.10.0%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock95.5%88.9%
 Some College Educ.20.4%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.7%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.13.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock12.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree0.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock2.5%1.5%
Reviews for Santa Maria    12 Reviews

Over 7 years ago

I live in Orcutt which is a town of around 35,000 on the south side of Santa Maria. Santa Maria has, as everyone has noted, the best climate in the world. It never  More

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I have lived in Santa Maria / Orcutt for several years, but it is time to leave. I have no issues with the weather. Our climate is mild and comfortable with no extremes.  More

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The weather is very mild without a huge temperature change with the seasons. The winters are chilly but not cold and the summers are warm but not hot. Of course there  More

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Reviews for Fernandina Beach    8 Reviews

We traveled the entire east and west coasts of Florida and the entire east coast of Georgia. We LOVED St. Marys GA. but decided on Amelia Island... Mainly because AI has  More

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Over 6 years ago

There is no place in Florida like Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach. The beach is beautiful.. But, best of all are the people. Real Southern hospitality... Southern charm  More

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Over 12 years ago

Came back to Fernandina after a long hiatus. Fernandina has always been a magical place, but many things are getting better. The restaurant scene has improved  More

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