2025 Compare Cities Education:
West Des Moines, IA vs Grand Rapids, MI

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Highlights
- Grand Rapids spends 2.6% more per student than West Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 9.5% higher in Grand Rapids than in West Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Grand Rapids had 8.2% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to West Des Moines
 West Des Moines, IAGrand Rapids, MIUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$14,664$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$6,936$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock11244573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock5.4%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock88.7%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.1%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock7.6%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.53.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock9.7%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.1%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.4%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 Grand Rapids    62 Reviews

I've lived in Grand Rapids about 85% of my life and can confidently say it is a great place to live for anyone. I know countless people who dogged the city, moved  More

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Grand Rapids proper - the small city - is fairly OK. Nothing special stands out about it when judged against the nicer areas of the US, but it has some decent dining and  More

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Wow. “bland Rapids and everyone is Smug, uptight and part of the Christian Reformed Church. “ Someone is accurately describing Grand Rapids in 1985. Much has changed  More

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