| Index | Payson | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 25% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 20:1 | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 2 | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 306 | 7,963 |
| Index | Payson | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 85.4% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 83.1% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 43.0% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 18.0% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 10.5% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 2.0% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 0.0% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 2 public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Payson. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Payson, IL schools is 25%. The average student to teacher ratio is 20:1. In Payson, IL, an average of 85.4% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 83.1% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Hannibal, MO | 17,312 | 49% | 2.3% |
| Palmyra, MO | 3,606 | 47% | 1.7% |
| Liberty, IL | 398 | 41% | 15.1% |
| Quincy, IL | 40,111 | 28% | 41.8% |
| Barry, IL | 1,698 | 27% | 43.2% |
| Payson, IL | 1,398 | 25% | 49.0% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Philo, IL | 1,398 | 50% | 3.1% |
| Brookston, IN | 1,398 | 62% | 29.2% |
| Descanso, CA | 1,398 | 60% | 24.0% |
| Okarche, OK | 1,398 | 42% | 11.8% |
| Bainbridge, PA | 1,399 | 84% | 75.0% |
| Payson, IL | 1,398 | 25% | 49.0% |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
Check out the 10 safest cities in Illinois
See the best places to live in Payson
Most Dangerous Cities In The US