| Index | Columbia | Tennessee | National |
| Average Test Scores | 21% | 35% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | n/a | n/a | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 11 | 1,390 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 7 | 430 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 3 | 189 | 7,963 |

| Index | Columbia | Tennessee | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 80.7% | 82.0% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 78.4% | 79.9% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 50.3% | 53.2% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 26.7% | 32.2% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 17.2% | 25.4% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 5.7% | 9.3% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.6% | 2.8% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.2% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 11 public schools, 7 private schools and 3 post-secondary schools in Columbia. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Columbia, TN schools is 21%. The average student to teacher ratio is n/a. In Columbia, TN, an average of 80.7% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 78.4% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Thompson's Station, TN | 6,256 | 60% | 25.4% |
| Spring Hill, TN | 42,910 | 52% | 7.8% |
| Summertown, TN | 540 | 39% | 19.3% |
| Lewisburg, TN | 12,475 | 31% | 34.9% |
| Mount Pleasant, TN | 4,998 | 25% | 47.2% |
| Columbia, TN | 40,814 | 21% | 56.6% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Keizer, OR | 40,787 | 42% | 11.6% |
| Friendswood, TX | 40,785 | 64% | 32.5% |
| Annapolis, MD | 40,873 | 37% | 22.2% |
| Marlborough, MA | 40,753 | 50% | 4.0% |
| Los Banos, CA | 40,884 | 31% | 35.7% |
| Columbia, TN | 40,814 | 21% | 56.6% |