| Index | Columbia | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 56% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 16:1 | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 3 | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 1 | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 306 | 7,963 |
| Index | Columbia | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 94.6% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 93.7% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 68.9% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 47.6% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 40.2% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 12.9% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 3.1% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 3 public schools, 1 private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Columbia. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Columbia, IL schools is 56%. The average student to teacher ratio is 16:1. In Columbia, IL, an average of 94.6% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 93.7% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Clayton, MO | 16,763 | 73% | 52.7% |
| Brentwood, MO | 7,986 | 70% | 45.6% |
| Olivette, MO | 7,837 | 70% | 44.8% |
| Kirkwood, MO | 27,772 | 69% | 43.1% |
| Webster Groves, MO | 22,906 | 64% | 32.8% |
| Columbia, IL | 10,692 | 56% | 16.7% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Woodbury, NY | 10,700 | 72% | 49.7% |
| Pleasanton, TX | 10,703 | 39% | 19.4% |
| Darby, PA | 10,711 | 19% | 61.5% |
| Arkadelphia, AR | 10,670 | 41% | 15.4% |
| Soquel, CA | 10,721 | 56% | 17.2% |
| Columbia, IL | 10,692 | 56% | 16.7% |
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