| | Shelby, IA | Harlan, IA | United States |
| Expend. per Student | $12,572 | $12,572 | $15,905 |
| Educ. Expend. per Student | $11,317 | $11,317 | $13,142 |
| Instr. Expend. per Student | $7,424 | $7,424 | $7,999 |
| Pupil/Teacher Ratio | 14.61 | 14.61 | 16.23 |
| Students per Librarian | 1895 | 1895 | 4573 |
| Students per Counselor | 384 | 384 | 530 |
| Grade School Educ. | 3.1% | 2.6% | 4.8% |
| Some High School Educ. | 5.8% | 5.5% | 6.3% |
| High School Educ. | 91.1% | 91.9% | 88.9% |
| Some College Educ. | 27.2% | 23.3% | 20.0% |
| 2 yr College Grad. | 11.1% | 13.2% | 8.7% |
| 4 yr College Grad. | 10.9% | 22.4% | 33.7% |
| Masters Grad. | 2.1% | 3.9% | 9.3% |
| Professional Degree | 0.4% | 0.9% | 2.2% |
| Doctorate Degree | 0.0% | 1.1% | 1.5% |