Education in West Des Moines, Iowa: official figures
54.9% of adults aged 25 and over in West Des Moines held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 127th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Iowa: 31.4%).
How many people in West Des Moines have a graduate degree?
19.1% of adults aged 25 and over in West Des Moines held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 201st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 2.1% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in West Des Moines?
In West Des Moines, 15.5% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 25.8% had some college or an associate's degree (US: 26.0% and 27.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many students are there in West Des Moines?
15,800 residents of West Des Moines aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 23.1% of that age group, 180th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 10,358 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 3,169 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in West Des Moines?
2,364 residents of West Des Moines were enrolled as college undergraduates and 1,995 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 6.4% of residents aged 3 and over, 373rd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in West Des Moines attend preschool?
1,083 children in West Des Moines were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow West Des Moines compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
West Des Moines ranks 127 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 124 | Greenville | 55.5% |
| 125 | Minneapolis | 55.5% |
| 126 | Bentonville | 55.3% |
| 127 | West Des Moines | 54.9% |
| 128 | Folsom | 54.9% |
| 129 | Boston | 54.9% |
| 130 | Jersey City | 54.8% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
West Des Moines ranks 201 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 198 | Lee's Summit | 19.1% |
| 199 | Olathe | 19.1% |
| 200 | Plantation | 19.1% |
| 201 | West Des Moines | 19.1% |
| 202 | Tampa | 19.0% |
| 203 | Norwalk | 19.0% |
| 204 | Chicago | 19.0% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
West Des Moines ranks 738 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 735 | Wheaton | 3.8% |
| 736 | Downers Grove | 3.8% |
| 737 | Eau Claire | 3.7% |
| 738 | West Des Moines | 3.7% |
| 739 | Holly Springs | 3.7% |
| 740 | Redondo Beach | 3.7% |
| 741 | Auburn | 3.7% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
West Des Moines ranks 451 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 448 | Rowlett | 6.4% |
| 449 | McKinney | 6.4% |
| 450 | Indianapolis | 6.4% |
| 451 | West Des Moines | 6.4% |
| 452 | Redmond | 6.4% |
| 453 | Chesapeake | 6.4% |
| 454 | Pflugerville | 6.3% |
More on West Des Moines: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B15003: Educational Attainment for the Population 25 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 d0c8609e958022459215c8a31d7452ef7528ee8dd70fbb6f9a99de0f491f42d7), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 609deae49c91…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B14001: School Enrollment by Level of School for the Population 3 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e175af4a33616da45fb590da3d67f37eee65a3cb51e6f5864c64ff31fb716b81), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b85f52a6d640…)
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