| Index | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | National |
| Average Test Scores | 60% | 52% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 11:1 | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 13 | 2,224 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 3 | 477 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 140 | 7,963 |
| Index | Detroit Lakes | Minnesota | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 90.3% | 90.5% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 89.1% | 89.5% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 62.8% | 66.9% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 38.9% | 45.2% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 28.9% | 34.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 9.8% | 11.5% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 4.3% | 3.5% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 13 public schools, 3 private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Detroit Lakes. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Detroit Lakes, MN schools is 60%. The average student to teacher ratio is 11:1. In Detroit Lakes, MN, an average of 90.3% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 89.1% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Audubon, MN | 557 | 61% | 26.0% |
| Perham, MN | 3,506 | 59% | 23.3% |
| Frazee, MN | 1,388 | 58% | 21.4% |
| Lake Park, MN | 631 | 55% | 13.5% |
| Detroit Lakes, MN | 9,229 | 60% | 25.2% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Molalla, OR | 9,224 | 42% | 12.7% |
| Rensselaer, NY | 9,223 | 48% | 0.7% |
| Nolensville, TN | 9,221 | 67% | 40.4% |
| Middlesborough, KY | 9,242 | 46% | 4.8% |
| Flowood, MS | 9,213 | 59% | 22.7% |
| Detroit Lakes, MN | 9,229 | 60% | 25.2% |
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