| Index | Salem | Virginia | National |
| Average Test Scores | 84% | 79% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 11:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 12 | 1,596 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 2 | 553 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 2 | 199 | 7,963 |
| Index | Salem | Virginia | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 86.1% | 85.9% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 84.2% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 59.3% | 64.1% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 37.1% | 44.2% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 26.9% | 36.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 10.2% | 15.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 2.3% | 4.2% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 1.3% | 1.7% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 12 public schools, 2 private schools and 2 post-secondary schools in Salem. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Salem, VA schools is 84%. The average student to teacher ratio is 11:1. In Salem, VA, an average of 86.1% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 84.2% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Daleville, VA | 2,716 | 89% | 85.4% |
| Cloverdale, VA | 3,193 | 88% | 82.8% |
| Blue Ridge, VA | 3,169 | 87% | 81.3% |
| Boones Mill, VA | 149 | 87% | 81.3% |
| Troutville, VA | 405 | 86% | 78.6% |
| Salem, VA | 25,290 | 84% | 74.2% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Mount Pleasant, MI | 25,290 | 43% | 9.6% |
| Clinton, IA | 25,290 | 66% | 37.2% |
| El Cerrito, CA | 25,280 | 46% | 3.9% |
| Franklin, IN | 25,276 | 50% | 4.3% |
| Suitland, MD | 25,273 | 15% | 69.6% |
| Salem, VA | 25,290 | 84% | 74.2% |
Here are the best places to live in Virginia
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Virginia
These are the largest cities in Virginia
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Virginia