| Index | Carbondale | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 34% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 19:1 | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 8 | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 3 | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 1 | 306 | 7,963 |

| Index | Carbondale | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 91.0% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 89.3% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 79.0% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 55.4% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 49.1% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 28.2% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 8.9% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 6.5% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 8 public schools, 3 private schools and 1 post-secondary schools in Carbondale. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Carbondale, IL schools is 34%. The average student to teacher ratio is 19:1. In Carbondale, IL, an average of 91.0% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 89.3% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Carterville, IL | 6,046 | 53% | 10.9% |
| Vergennes, IL | 246 | 37% | 22.9% |
| Herrin, IL | 13,309 | 36% | 24.7% |
| Goreville, IL | 1,150 | 32% | 33.3% |
| Cobden, IL | 1,044 | 31% | 34.7% |
| Carbondale, IL | 26,321 | 34% | 29.3% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Sebastian, FL | 26,323 | 54% | 11.6% |
| Holbrook, NY | 26,325 | 48% | 1.0% |
| Cliffside Park, NJ | 26,315 | 55% | 15.0% |
| South Pasadena, CA | 26,308 | 82% | 70.2% |
| Ruskin, FL | 26,287 | 35% | 26.4% |
| Carbondale, IL | 26,321 | 34% | 29.3% |