| Index | Northwood | Iowa | National |
| Average Test Scores | 67% | 69% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 15:1 | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 2 | 1,101 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 208 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 96 | 7,963 |

| Index | Northwood | Iowa | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 85.2% | 89.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 84.2% | 87.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 53.6% | 59.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 29.0% | 38.4% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 16.9% | 27.2% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 3.2% | 8.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 0.2% | 2.7% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.2% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 2 public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Northwood. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Northwood, IA schools is 67%. The average student to teacher ratio is 15:1. In Northwood, IA, an average of 85.2% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 84.2% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Manly, IA | 1,533 | 78% | 61.5% |
| Glenville, MN | 651 | 46% | 4.2% |
| Albert Lea, MN | 18,460 | 44% | 8.2% |
| Lyle, MN | 503 | 38% | 20.8% |
| Northwood, IA | 2,232 | 67% | 39.6% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Wellington, TX | 2,233 | 52% | 8.7% |
| Madison, NC | 2,231 | 39% | 19.1% |
| Vernonia, OR | 2,234 | 31% | 36.5% |
| Apalachin, NY | 2,230 | 53% | 10.9% |
| Pine Level, NC | 2,234 | 31% | 35.4% |
| Northwood, IA | 2,232 | 67% | 39.6% |