| Index | Des Plaines | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 46% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 15:1 | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 21 | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 11 | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | 1 | 306 | 7,963 |

| Index | Des Plaines | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 87.6% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 86.0% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 63.3% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 43.2% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 35.2% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 11.4% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 3.0% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 1.0% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 21 public schools, 11 private schools and 1 post-secondary schools in Des Plaines. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Des Plaines, IL schools is 46%. The average student to teacher ratio is 15:1. In Des Plaines, IL, an average of 87.6% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 86.0% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Oak Brook, IL | 8,377 | 79% | 64.6% |
| Lincolnshire, IL | 7,966 | 78% | 62.8% |
| Bannockburn, IL | 1,233 | 77% | 60.4% |
| Deerfield, IL | 19,650 | 77% | 59.4% |
| Kenilworth, IL | 2,429 | 74% | 53.1% |
| Des Plaines, IL | 60,159 | 46% | 3.3% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Orland Park, IL | 60,161 | 49% | 2.5% |
| Greenwood, IN | 60,157 | 61% | 27.3% |
| Casper, WY | 60,154 | 48% | 0.5% |
| Bowie, MD | 60,153 | 40% | 16.8% |
| Great Falls, MT | 60,209 | 46% | 3.9% |
| Des Plaines, IL | 60,159 | 46% | 3.3% |