| Index | Golden | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 25% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | n/a | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | n/a | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 306 | 7,963 |

| Index | Golden | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 84.9% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 82.2% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 47.7% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 26.9% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 11.4% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 3.7% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.3% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of n/a public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Golden. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Golden, IL schools is 25%. The average student to teacher ratio is n/a. In Golden, IL, an average of 84.9% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 82.2% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Bowen, IL | 599 | 40% | 17.7% |
| Camp Point, IL | 1,174 | 31% | 36.5% |
| Augusta, IL | 628 | 30% | 38.5% |
| Mount Sterling, IL | 2,297 | 29% | 39.9% |
| Mendon, IL | 1,115 | 23% | 52.8% |
| Golden, IL | 715 | 25% | 49.0% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Ponemah, MN | 715 | 12% | 75.0% |
| Ponce de Leon, FL | 715 | 49% | 1.6% |
| Elmwood, NE | 715 | 77% | 60.4% |
| Round Hill, VA | 714 | 90% | 86.5% |
| Salisbury, PA | 716 | 55% | 14.1% |
| Golden, IL | 715 | 25% | 49.0% |