| Index | Columbia | South Carolina | National |
| Average Test Scores | 41% | 47% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 73 | 932 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 39 | 369 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 14 | 96 | 7,963 |
| Index | Columbia | South Carolina | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 85.0% | 83.0% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 84.2% | 81.6% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 67.5% | 56.6% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 48.6% | 35.6% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 41.6% | 26.5% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 18.3% | 9.6% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 5.9% | 2.5% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 2.1% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 73 public schools, 39 private schools and 14 post-secondary schools in Columbia. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Columbia, SC schools is 41%. The average student to teacher ratio is 16:1. In Columbia, SC, an average of 85.0% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 84.2% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Lexington, SC | 21,847 | 63% | 30.9% |
| Blythewood, SC | 3,646 | 63% | 30.6% |
| Irmo, SC | 12,397 | 59% | 22.6% |
| West Columbia, SC | 17,782 | 45% | 6.9% |
| Cayce, SC | 13,964 | 37% | 22.6% |
| Columbia, SC | 134,057 | 41% | 14.5% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Warren, MI | 134,188 | 31% | 35.6% |
| Gainesville, FL | 133,611 | 52% | 8.1% |
| Coral Springs, FL | 133,370 | 62% | 28.7% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 133,125 | 63% | 30.3% |
| Visalia, CA | 133,100 | 37% | 23.0% |
| Columbia, SC | 134,057 | 41% | 14.5% |
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