| Index | Cottage Grove | Minnesota | National |
| Average Test Scores | 58% | 52% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 36:1 | 16:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 12 | 2,224 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 3 | 477 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 140 | 7,963 |
| Index | Cottage Grove | Minnesota | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 92.3% | 90.5% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 91.8% | 89.5% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 68.1% | 66.9% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 43.3% | 45.2% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 30.6% | 34.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 9.0% | 11.5% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.7% | 3.5% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.9% | 1.4% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 12 public schools, 3 private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Cottage Grove. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Cottage Grove, MN schools is 58%. The average student to teacher ratio is 36:1. In Cottage Grove, MN, an average of 92.3% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 91.8% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Lakeland, MN | 1,779 | 72% | 50.0% |
| Falcon Heights, MN | 5,781 | 72% | 50.0% |
| Woodbury, MN | 72,852 | 70% | 46.5% |
| St. Anthony, MN | 9,260 | 69% | 42.7% |
| Bayport, MN | 3,875 | 65% | 34.4% |
| Cottage Grove, MN | 38,398 | 58% | 21.7% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Carpentersville, IL | 38,383 | 21% | 56.9% |
| Commack, NY | 38,358 | 70% | 46.4% |
| Meridian, MS | 38,491 | 36% | 25.8% |
| Mechanicsville, VA | 38,496 | 89% | 84.9% |
| Braintree Town, MA | 38,517 | 66% | 38.0% |
| Cottage Grove, MN | 38,398 | 58% | 21.7% |
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