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

| Index | Salem | North Carolina | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 76.5% | 83.4% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 74.3% | 81.9% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 45.9% | 59.9% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 23.4% | 38.1% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 12.9% | 29.0% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 4.5% | 10.2% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 0.7% | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
There are a total of n/a public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Salem. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Salem, NC schools is n/a. The average student to teacher ratio is n/a. In Salem, NC, an average of 76.5% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 74.3% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Hudson, NC | 3,846 | 61% | 26.3% |
| Casar, NC | 368 | 57% | 18.8% |
| Valdese, NC | 4,579 | 53% | 9.4% |
| Connelly Springs, NC | 2,346 | 51% | 7.0% |
| Morganton, NC | 17,082 | 40% | 17.4% |
| Salem, NC | 1,536 | n/a |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Salina, OK | 1,536 | 27% | 44.4% |
| Chesterfield, SC | 1,537 | 50% | 4.2% |
| Catawissa, PA | 1,535 | 72% | 49.3% |
| Falls City, OR | 1,535 | 25% | 48.4% |
| Newfield, NJ | 1,535 | 39% | 18.8% |
| Salem, NC | 1,536 | n/a |