| Index | Paynesville | Minnesota | National |
| Average Test Scores | 59% | 52% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 3 | 2,224 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 477 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 140 | 7,963 |
| Index | Paynesville | Minnesota | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 85.3% | 90.5% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 80.3% | 89.5% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 50.3% | 66.9% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 26.2% | 45.2% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 15.1% | 34.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 4.0% | 11.5% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.3% | 3.5% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.2% | 1.4% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 3 public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Paynesville. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Paynesville, MN schools is 59%. The average student to teacher ratio is 15:1. In Paynesville, MN, an average of 85.3% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 80.3% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Richmond, MN | 1,384 | 82% | 70.8% |
| Eden Valley, MN | 1,017 | 69% | 44.3% |
| New London, MN | 1,249 | 65% | 34.7% |
| Belgrade, MN | 1,027 | 62% | 29.2% |
| Cold Spring, MN | 4,238 | 62% | 28.5% |
| Paynesville, MN | 2,525 | 59% | 22.9% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Elwood, IL | 2,524 | 51% | 5.2% |
| Pima, AZ | 2,523 | 42% | 13.4% |
| Postville, IA | 2,528 | 44% | 9.4% |
| Kalona, IA | 2,528 | 69% | 43.8% |
| Pawnee, IL | 2,522 | 33% | 30.7% |
| Paynesville, MN | 2,525 | 59% | 22.9% |
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