| Index | Columbia | Missouri | National |
| Average Test Scores | 43% | 44% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 12:1 | 14:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 35 | 1,899 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 10 | 531 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 5 | 213 | 7,963 |
| Index | Columbia | Missouri | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 92.0% | 86.0% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 91.2% | 84.2% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 78.6% | 57.7% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 60.7% | 35.2% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 54.8% | 27.6% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 26.1% | 10.4% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 10.5% | 2.8% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 5.8% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 35 public schools, 10 private schools and 5 post-secondary schools in Columbia. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Columbia, MO schools is 43%. The average student to teacher ratio is 12:1. In Columbia, MO, an average of 92.0% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 91.2% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Hallsville, MO | 1,686 | 53% | 9.4% |
| Jamestown, MO | 382 | 51% | 6.3% |
| Ashland, MO | 3,956 | 48% | = 100 |
| Prairie Home, MO | 243 | 40% | 16.7% |
| Harrisburg, MO | 340 | 39% | 19.1% |
| Columbia, MO | 122,659 | 43% | 9.6% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Odessa, TX | 122,630 | 35% | 26.7% |
| Hartford, CT | 122,549 | 25% | 48.2% |
| Victorville, CA | 122,958 | 28% | 42.2% |
| Berkeley, CA | 123,065 | 60% | 24.5% |
| Wilmington, NC | 122,162 | 46% | 4.3% |
| Columbia, MO | 122,659 | 43% | 9.6% |
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