| Index | Des Moines | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 48% | 69% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 69 | 1,101 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 13 | 208 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 10 | 96 | 7,963 |
| Index | Des Moines | Iowa | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 82.6% | 89.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 81.4% | 87.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 56.8% | 59.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 34.8% | 38.4% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 25.2% | 27.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 7.5% | 8.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 2.5% | 2.7% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.8% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 69 public schools, 13 private schools and 10 post-secondary schools in Des Moines. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Des Moines, IA schools is 48%. The average student to teacher ratio is 13:1. In Des Moines, IA, an average of 82.6% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 81.4% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Mitchellville, IA | 2,382 | 94% | 94.8% |
| Granger, IA | 1,890 | 87% | 81.3% |
| Runnells, IA | 485 | 87% | 81.3% |
| Waukee, IA | 22,598 | 85% | 76.3% |
| Polk City, IA | 4,797 | 85% | 76.0% |
| Des Moines, IA | 215,408 | 48% | 0.3% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Tacoma, WA | 215,766 | 48% | 0.0% |
| Modesto, CA | 214,485 | 36% | 25.6% |
| San Bernardino, CA | 216,784 | 32% | 34.1% |
| Fontana, CA | 212,704 | 36% | 25.7% |
| Santa Clarita, CA | 212,519 | 56% | 16.4% |
| Des Moines, IA | 215,408 | 48% | 0.3% |
Here are the best places to live in Iowa
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Iowa
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Iowa
Safest Cities In The US