| Index | Salem | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 85% | 69% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | n/a | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | n/a | 1,101 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 208 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 96 | 7,963 |
| Index | Salem | Iowa | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 85.8% | 89.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 81.9% | 87.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 39.4% | 59.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 12.0% | 38.4% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 6.8% | 27.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 0.2% | 8.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 0.0% | 2.7% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.0% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
There are a total of n/a public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Salem. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Salem, IA schools is 85%. The average student to teacher ratio is n/a. In Salem, IA, an average of 85.8% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 81.9% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Donnellson, IA | 908 | 73% | 52.8% |
| Mount Pleasant, IA | 8,574 | 65% | 34.9% |
| Farmington, IA | 644 | 65% | 34.4% |
| New London, IA | 2,433 | 61% | 26.6% |
| Salem, IA | 492 | 85% | 77.1% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Sidell, IL | 492 | 26% | 46.4% |
| Breckenridge, MO | 492 | 33% | 32.3% |
| Ashland, MS | 492 | 31% | 35.9% |
| Bailey, NC | 492 | 33% | 31.3% |
| Aguilar, CO | 492 | 21% | 55.7% |
| Salem, IA | 492 | 85% | 77.1% |
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