| Index | Shelby | Nebraska | National |
| Average Test Scores | 54% | 53% | 48% |
| Student/Teacher ratio | n/a | 13:1 | 16:1 |
| Total public schools | n/a | 780 | 79,221 |
| Total private schools | n/a | 182 | 24,874 |
| Total post-secondary schools | n/a | 56 | 7,963 |

| Index | Shelby | Nebraska | National |
| Completed 8th grade | 93.0% | 88.4% | 84.3% |
| Completed high school | 90.5% | 87.2% | 83.0% |
| Completed some college | 54.6% | 63.7% | 59.4% |
| Completed associate degree | 33.3% | 40.1% | 38.5% |
| Completed bachelors | 19.5% | 30.0% | 30.3% |
| Completed masters | 7.5% | 9.9% | 11.5% |
| Completed professional degree | 2.5% | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Completed doctorate | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.3% |
There are a total of n/a public schools, n/a private schools and n/a post-secondary schools in Shelby. Using the proficiency score averages, the average test scores for Shelby, NE schools is 54%. The average student to teacher ratio is n/a. In Shelby, NE, an average of 93.0% of students have completed 8th grade and an average of 90.5% have completed high school.
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Stromsburg, NE | 1,066 | 63% | 31.3% |
| Osceola, NE | 855 | 57% | 18.1% |
| Bellwood, NE | 423 | 55% | 14.6% |
| Silver Creek, NE | 504 | 55% | 14.6% |
| Shelby, NE | 741 | 54% | 12.2% |
| City | Population | Avg. Test Scores | National Avg. |
| Dakota, IL | 741 | 43% | 11.5% |
| Pembroke, KY | 742 | 44% | 9.4% |
| Hemingford, NE | 740 | 50% | 3.1% |
| Wilton, ND | 740 | 52% | 8.9% |
| Morning Sun, IA | 742 | 75% | 56.3% |
| Shelby, NE | 741 | 54% | 12.2% |