| 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% |
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