| Index | Arcata | California | National |
| Average Test Scores | 55% | 43% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 20:1 | 20:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 11 | 8,308 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 3 | 3,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 1 | 1,085 | 7,963 |
| Index | Arcata | California | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 92.0% | 81.1% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 91.0% | 79.8% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 79.3% | 61.5% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 56.3% | 39.8% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 49.4% | 32.0% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 20.0% | 11.9% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 9.2% | 3.9% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 3.8% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 11 public schools, 3 private schools and 1 post-secondary schools in Arcata. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Arcata, CA schools is 55%. The average student to teacher ratio is 20:1. In Arcata, CA, an average of 92.0% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 91.0% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Trinidad, CA | 348 | 51% | 6.3% |
| Manila, CA | 762 | 50% | 3.1% |
| Blue Lake, CA | 934 | 44% | 9.4% |
| Eureka, CA | 26,938 | 39% | 18.8% |
| McKinleyville, CA | 16,645 | 39% | 19.0% |
| Arcata, CA | 18,266 | 55% | 14.3% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Hyattsville, MD | 18,267 | 23% | 52.5% |
| Bensenville, IL | 18,273 | 29% | 40.1% |
| Menasha, WI | 18,280 | 36% | 25.1% |
| North Massapequa, NY | 18,239 | 50% | 4.7% |
| Round Lake, IL | 18,235 | 27% | 44.4% |
| Arcata, CA | 18,266 | 55% | 14.3% |
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