| Index | Salem | South Dakota | National |
| Average Test Scores | 48% | 48% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | 15:1 | 14:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | 3 | 340 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | 1 | 76 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 25 | 7,963 |
| Index | Salem | South Dakota | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 87.8% | 89.1% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 84.9% | 86.8% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 51.8% | 60.4% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 32.3% | 38.5% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 21.3% | 27.5% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 6.5% | 8.1% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 1.3% | 2.5% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.8% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of 3 public schools, 1 private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Salem. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Salem, SD schools is 48%. The average student to teacher ratio is 15:1. In Salem, SD, an average of 87.8% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 84.9% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Bridgewater, SD | 330 | 70% | 44.8% |
| Canistota, SD | 688 | 66% | 37.2% |
| Montrose, SD | 568 | 60% | 25.0% |
| Emery, SD | 520 | 42% | 12.0% |
| Salem, SD | 1,207 | 48% | = 100 |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Villisca, IA | 1,207 | 60% | 24.0% |
| Swifton, AR | 1,207 | 62% | 29.2% |
| Stem, NC | 1,207 | 35% | 28.1% |
| Chesapeake, OH | 1,208 | 63% | 30.2% |
| Clifton, IL | 1,208 | 29% | 39.1% |
| Salem, SD | 1,207 | 48% | = 100 |
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