2025 Compare Cities Education:
West Des Moines, IA vs Palm Desert, CA

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Highlights
- Palm Desert spends 7.0% more per student than West Des Moines.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 50.4% higher in Palm Desert than in West Des Moines. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Palm Desert had 3.6% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to West Des Moines
 West Des Moines, IAPalm Desert, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$15,296$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$11,894  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$7,941$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio15.53  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock249534573
 Students per Counselor362  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock2.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.2.1%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock93.1%88.9%
 Some College Educ.17.1%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.1%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.53.7%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock9.0%9.3%
 Professional Degree4.1%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.5%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 Palm Desert    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert, CA is full of rude people. One woman in a long sleeved pink shirt is being extremely rude and mocking people for no reason at a neighborhood Walmart in Palm  More

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Palm Desert is clean, upscale and beautiful. The views of the Santa Rosa Mountains bright blue sky and green expanses of golf course fairways, swimming pools and  More

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I made the mistake of moving here after a short vacation to be closer to family. Biggest mistake of my life! This is not the place to live if health is important to you.  More

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