2025 Compare Cities Education:
West Des Moines, IA vs Fargo, ND

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Highlights
- Fargo spends 19.5% more per student than West Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 18.5% lower in Fargo than in West Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Fargo had 1.9% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to West Des Moines
 West Des Moines, IAFargo, NDUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$17,075$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,111$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock2864573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock2.2%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock94.8%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.1%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock13.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.53.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock9.9%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.1%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock2.0%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 Fargo    32 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Grew up in Fargo/Northern MN area and was there 29 years. It’s cheap to live, tons of things to do in the summer. But 3-6 months of the year you more than likely will  More

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Tyrel · 

Grew up in south Minneapolis and headed 3 hours west to Fargo. Why did I want to leave the Twin Cities area? Found a great job. Nicer apartment for less money. Nice  More

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Not your typical North Dakota town. Fargo is on the Minnesota border and Cass County makes up 1/4 of the entire states population. It is the urban center and much more  More

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