| Index | Ottumwa | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 60% | 69% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 16:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 12 | 1,101 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 3 | 208 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 2 | 96 | 7,963 |
| Index | Ottumwa | Iowa | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 80.9% | 89.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 78.7% | 87.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 48.0% | 59.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 25.7% | 38.4% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 16.5% | 27.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 5.8% | 8.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.9% | 2.7% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.5% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 12 public schools, 3 private schools and 2 post-secondary schools in Ottumwa. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Ottumwa, IA schools is 60%. The average student to teacher ratio is 16:1. In Ottumwa, IA, an average of 80.9% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 78.7% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Blakesburg, IA | 232 | 67% | 39.6% |
| Eddyville, IA | 1,142 | 65% | 34.9% |
| Eldon, IA | 921 | 58% | 20.8% |
| Fremont, IA | 804 | 50% | 4.2% |
| Ottumwa, IA | 24,505 | 60% | 25.3% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Key West, FL | 24,495 | 59% | 23.5% |
| Collinsville, IL | 24,489 | 29% | 40.6% |
| Homer Glen, IL | 24,521 | 55% | 14.6% |
| Watauga, TX | 24,487 | 51% | 6.3% |
| Coronado, CA | 24,526 | 73% | 51.6% |
| Ottumwa, IA | 24,505 | 60% | 25.3% |
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