| Index | Harlan | Kentucky | National |
| Average Test Scores | 62% | 48% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 15:1 | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 4 | 1,157 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 1 | 298 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 1 | 130 | 7,963 |
| Index | Harlan | Kentucky | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 78.7% | 81.0% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 76.6% | 77.8% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 47.5% | 51.3% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 36.2% | 30.5% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 25.3% | 22.7% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 9.1% | 9.3% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 3.5% | 2.6% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 1.1% | 0.9% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 4 public schools, 1 private schools and 1 post-secondary schools in Harlan. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Harlan, KY schools is 62%. The average student to teacher ratio is 15:1. In Harlan, KY, an average of 78.7% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 76.6% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Ewing, VA | 152 | 83% | 72.4% |
| St. Charles, VA | 61 | 83% | 71.9% |
| Jonesville, VA | 1,355 | 79% | 64.2% |
| Cawood, KY | 489 | 65% | 34.4% |
| Evarts, KY | 701 | 53% | 9.4% |
| Harlan, KY | 1,411 | 62% | 29.5% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Ignacio, CO | 1,411 | 19% | 60.4% |
| Moravia, NY | 1,411 | 46% | 4.7% |
| Fort Benton, MT | 1,410 | 63% | 31.6% |
| Pinetops, NC | 1,412 | 26% | 45.8% |
| Alma, NE | 1,410 | 52% | 8.3% |
| Harlan, KY | 1,411 | 62% | 29.5% |
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