| Index | Payson | Illinois | National |
| Average Test Scores | 25% | 33% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 20:1 | 18:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 2 | 3,938 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 1,438 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 306 | 7,963 |
| Index | Payson | Illinois | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 85.4% | 86.2% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 83.1% | 84.7% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 43.0% | 61.8% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 18.0% | 40.7% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 10.5% | 32.9% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 2.0% | 12.7% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 0.0% | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 2 public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Payson. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Payson, IL schools is 25%. The average student to teacher ratio is 20:1. In Payson, IL, an average of 85.4% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 83.1% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Hannibal, MO | 17,980 | 49% | 2.3% |
| Palmyra, MO | 3,744 | 47% | 1.7% |
| Liberty, IL | 407 | 41% | 15.1% |
| Quincy, IL | 41,163 | 28% | 41.8% |
| Barry, IL | 1,735 | 27% | 43.2% |
| Payson, IL | 1,427 | 25% | 49.0% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Hurley, NM | 1,427 | 25% | 49.0% |
| Jarrell, TX | 1,427 | 36% | 25.7% |
| St. John, KS | 1,427 | 27% | 43.8% |
| East Earl, PA | 1,427 | 49% | 1.0% |
| Owensville, IN | 1,428 | 49% | 1.0% |
| Payson, IL | 1,427 | 25% | 49.0% |
Here are the best places to live in Illinois
Safest Cities In The US
Most Dangerous States In The US
These are the largest cities in Illinois