| Index | Charleston | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 27% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 17:1 | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 8 | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 2 | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 1 | 306 | 7,963 |
| Index | Charleston | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 86.4% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 85.1% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 65.2% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 46.5% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 36.7% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 18.5% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 5.9% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 4.8% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 8 public schools, 2 private schools and 1 post-secondary schools in Charleston. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Charleston, IL schools is 27%. The average student to teacher ratio is 17:1. In Charleston, IL, an average of 86.4% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 85.1% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Casey, IL | 2,655 | 39% | 19.3% |
| Mattoon, IL | 17,273 | 30% | 37.2% |
| Toledo, IL | 1,163 | 28% | 42.4% |
| Arcola, IL | 2,840 | 26% | 46.4% |
| Neoga, IL | 1,579 | 26% | 46.4% |
| Charleston, IL | 20,141 | 27% | 44.8% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Germantown, WI | 20,142 | 57% | 18.5% |
| Ferndale, MI | 20,139 | 21% | 55.7% |
| Albany, CA | 20,145 | 76% | 57.3% |
| South St. Paul, MN | 20,132 | 42% | 13.0% |
| Cocoa, FL | 20,151 | 49% | 2.9% |
| Charleston, IL | 20,141 | 27% | 44.8% |
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