| Index | Rutherfordton | North Carolina | National |
| Average Test Scores | 45% | 43% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 14:1 | 15:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 5 | 1,895 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 2 | 510 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 183 | 7,963 |


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| Index | Rutherfordton | North Carolina | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 81.5% | 83.4% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 80.3% | 81.9% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 57.1% | 59.9% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 36.9% | 38.1% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 25.0% | 29.0% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 9.4% | 10.2% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.8% | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 5 public schools, 2 private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Rutherfordton. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Rutherfordton, NC schools is 45%. The average student to teacher ratio is 14:1. In Rutherfordton, NC, an average of 81.5% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 80.3% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Mooresboro, NC | 229 | 73% | 51.0% |
| Columbus, NC | 1,285 | 59% | 21.9% |
| Ellenboro, NC | 814 | 58% | 19.8% |
| Spindale, NC | 4,286 | 57% | 17.7% |
| Cliffside, NC | 727 | 52% | 8.3% |
| Rutherfordton, NC | 4,211 | 45% | 5.5% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Waverly, TN | 4,211 | 36% | 24.3% |
| San Diego, TX | 4,212 | 31% | 35.1% |
| Camdenton, MO | 4,210 | 41% | 14.6% |
| Burnham, IL | 4,213 | 10% | 79.2% |
| Crawfordville, FL | 4,213 | 63% | 30.3% |
| Rutherfordton, NC | 4,211 | 45% | 5.5% |