| Index | Barnum | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 74% | 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 | Barnum | Iowa | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 81.6% | 89.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 80.3% | 87.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 46.9% | 59.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 30.6% | 38.4% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 9.5% | 27.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 1.4% | 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 Barnum. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Barnum, IA schools is 74%. The average student to teacher ratio is n/a. In Barnum, IA, an average of 81.6% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 80.3% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Humboldt, IA | 4,694 | 81% | 68.1% |
| Rockwell City, IA | 2,242 | 71% | 48.4% |
| Manson, IA | 1,803 | 65% | 34.4% |
| Fort Dodge, IA | 24,700 | 55% | 14.8% |
| Barnum, IA | 329 | 74% | 53.1% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Mercer, MO | 329 | 38% | 21.9% |
| Taylorsville, GA | 328 | 54% | 11.5% |
| Kempton, IL | 328 | 50% | 4.2% |
| Optima, OK | 330 | 25% | 47.9% |
| Bridgewater, SD | 330 | 70% | 44.8% |
| Barnum, IA | 329 | 74% | 53.1% |