2025 Compare Cities Education:
West Des Moines, IA vs Aurora, CO

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Highlights
- Aurora spends 6.5% more per student than West Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 13.8% higher in Aurora than in West Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Aurora had 10.1% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to West Des Moines
 West Des Moines, IAAurora, COUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$15,228$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,402$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock17764573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock6.5%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock86.9%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.1%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.53.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock8.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.1%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.1%1.5%
Reviews for West Des Moines    4 Reviews

Over 16 years ago

I just moved here from out-of-state a few months ago and have been pleasantly surprised by the broad range of activities and amenities available in this medium sized IA  More

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Over 16 years ago

Am contemplating a move to WDM from the East Coast (NYC). Might there be anyone out there that may have experienced this and could offer guidance or comment. Thanks.   More

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We just moved to West Des Moines and we love it here! We moved here three months ago and every weekend we have been able to do something different and fun. There is  More

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Reviews for Aurora    40 Reviews

Over 1 years ago

Used to be affordable. I lived in aurora for 5 years and it was a great because I could drive to all the cool places in Denver and elsewhere. I was priced out  More

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It is ok. Not great. It used to be worth the cost (4/5 stars). The schools are mediocre, the people are hit or miss. People born here are friendly but  More

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Over 5 years ago

I've lived here for 10 years, and I gotta say, it's easily one of the most overpriced cities I've ever lived in. The cost of living makes it not worth it to live here,  More

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