2025 Compare Cities Education:
Surprise, AZ vs Gulf Shores, AL

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Highlights
- Gulf Shores spends 22.9% more per student than Surprise.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 2.8% lower in Gulf Shores than in Surprise. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Gulf Shores had 2.0% more residents who had graduated High School compared to Surprise
 Surprise, AZGulf Shores, ALUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$12,984$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$8,653  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$6,183$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio18.24  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock6014573
 Students per Counselor718  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.7%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.4.8%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock95.4%88.9%
 Some College Educ.26.9%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock11.5%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.30.6%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock9.6%9.3%
 Professional Degree1.4%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock2.4%1.5%
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 11 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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Reviews for Gulf Shores    6 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Owned a place there for 20 years and spend a few weeks each season there. Heading back in a few weeks! Lows: Spotty internet for work. Saturday traffic. Hurricanes.  More

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I know that there are a few people out there that would just as soon throw rotten tomatoes at me for saying what I’m about to say, but I hate, hate, HATE living in Gulf  More

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Over 14 years ago

Gulf Shores offers many sunny days, compared to the rest of Baldwin County.  More

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