| Index | Cottonwood | California | National |
| Average Test Scores | 46% | 43% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 19:1 | 20:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 6 | 8,308 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 3,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 1,085 | 7,963 |
| Index | Cottonwood | California | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 75.8% | 81.1% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 75.8% | 79.8% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 51.3% | 61.5% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 16.7% | 39.8% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 10.1% | 32.0% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 2.9% | 11.9% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.0% | 3.9% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 1.0% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 6 public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Cottonwood. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Cottonwood, CA schools is 46%. The average student to teacher ratio is 19:1. In Cottonwood, CA, an average of 75.8% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 75.8% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Millville, CA | 879 | 72% | 50.0% |
| Palo Cedro, CA | 2,893 | 56% | 16.1% |
| Shasta, CA | 1,639 | 45% | 7.3% |
| Redding, CA | 92,025 | 39% | 18.6% |
| Anderson, CA | 10,479 | 37% | 22.8% |
| Cottonwood, CA | 5,435 | 46% | 3.5% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Breckenridge, TX | 5,435 | 35% | 26.8% |
| Centerville, IA | 5,433 | 70% | 44.8% |
| Carver, MN | 5,438 | 67% | 39.1% |
| Eagleville, PA | 5,439 | 73% | 51.8% |
| Cottleville, MO | 5,439 | 69% | 43.1% |
| Cottonwood, CA | 5,435 | 46% | 3.5% |
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