Teacher shortages, budget constraints, and shifting post-pandemic student populations—driven by migration patterns and the rise of remote work—have led to more crowded classrooms in some parts of the country, making personalized instruction harder to deliver. What’s more, growing concerns over rising class sizes have only intensified with the Department of Education’s recent reduction in force. But how do student-teacher ratios really compare across the U.S.?
To find out, we analyzed the most recent student-teacher ratios for both public and private schools using data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to uncover which states have the most—and least—crowded classrooms. We also examined how student-teacher ratios differ between public and private schools, how classroom sizes have evolved over the past 50+ years, and which states have seen the biggest shifts, up or down, since COVID-19. The result is a comprehensive look at where students are getting more individualized attention and where teachers are stretched thin.
States With the Most Crowded Public School Classrooms
The national average for public school student-teacher ratios sits at 14.7 students per teacher, but in some states, that number is significantly higher. Arizona, for instance, tops the list with an average of nearly 23 students per teacher, more than 50% higher than the national norm. Meanwhile, Vermont leads the country in providing more personalized instruction, with just 10.36 students per teacher. Here’s a look at the top five states on each end of the spectrum when it comes to public school classroom crowding:
Top 5 States With the Most Crowded Public School Classrooms
- Arizona – 22.69 students per teacher
- California – 21.77 students per teacher
- Nevada – 21.28 students per teacher
- Utah – 20.57 students per teacher
- Florida – 18.44 students per teacher
Top 5 States With the Least Crowded Public School Classrooms
- Vermont – 10.36 students per teacher
- District of Columbia – 11.13 students per teacher
- Maine – 11.29 students per teacher
- New Hampshire – 11.49 students per teacher
- New York – 11.65 students per teacher
Looking regionally, eight of the 10 most overcrowded states are located in the Western U.S., including California, Nevada, and Utah. The South also appears, with Florida and Alabama rounding out the top 10. In contrast, seven of the 10 least crowded states are concentrated in the Northeast, reinforcing regional disparities in access to smaller class sizes.
These trends may reflect a mix of rapid population growth in the West and South, ongoing teacher shortages, and differences in how states fund public education.
States With the Most Crowded Private School Classrooms
While private schools are often seen as havens for smaller, more focused learning environments, that isn’t always the case—particularly in the Midwest. Nationally, private schools average 11.4 students per teacher, but in states like Nevada, class sizes are significantly larger, averaging 15.25 students per teacher. Here’s a look at the top and bottom five states with the most and least crowded private school classrooms:
Top 5 States With the Most Crowded Private School Classrooms
- Nevada – 15.25 students per teacher
- North Dakota – 13.83 students per teacher
- Idaho – 13.78 students per teacher
- Indiana – 13.41 students per teacher
- Nebraska – 13.37 students per teacher
Top 5 States With the Least Crowded Private School Classrooms
- Vermont – 7.06 students per teacher
- Massachusetts – 7.83 students per teacher
- Connecticut – 8.31 students per teacher
- Maine – 8.35 students per teacher
- District of Columbia – 8.70 students per teacher
Seven of the 10 most crowded private school states are located in the Midwest, indicating a regional pattern where independent schools may face similar resource constraints as public institutions. Conversely, as with public schools, the Northeast once again leads in maintaining smaller class sizes—six of the 10 states with the least crowded private school classrooms are located in this region.
These findings challenge assumptions that private always means “personalized,” and instead highlight how local factors—like funding, demand, and teacher availability—can shape classroom dynamics.
“Dedicated time between a student and their teacher can be transformative – especially for students who learn differently or haven’t thrived in traditional classroom environments,” said Lynna Martinez-Khalilian, Chief Academic Officer at Fusion Academy. “Lessons can be catered to individual strengths and needs, questions can be addressed in real time, and students are more likely to feel seen and supported — something often lost in crowded classrooms.”
Comparing Student-Teacher Ratios in Public and Private Schools
Across the country, private schools consistently offer smaller class sizes than their public counterparts, but just how big is the gap? We compared public and private school student-to-teacher ratios by state, using data from the 2020–2021 school year to ensure a consistent comparison since the most recent state-level NCES data for private schools is from that year. This approach allowed us to highlight where the biggest gaps exist — and where smaller class sizes may be more attainable through private education.
Nationally, public schools have over 22% more students per teacher than private schools. In some states, the difference is even more pronounced.
Take California, for example, where the average public school classroom has 10.8 more students per teacher than the average private classroom—a 47.8% difference. States like Arizona and Massachusetts also show striking gaps, exceeding 35%. These disparities highlight the stark contrast in instructional environments and can have a significant impact on individualized learning and teacher capacity.
Top 5 States With the Widest Gaps Between Public and Private Class Sizes
- California – 47.8% more students per teacher in public schools
- Arizona – 44.7% more
- Massachusetts – 36.2% more
- Alaska – 35.7% more
- Washington – 33.1% more
On the flip side, a few states are nearly at parity, or even slightly reversed. In North Dakota, public school student-teacher ratios (12.14) are actually lower than those in private schools (13.83), meaning public classrooms average nearly 14% fewer students per teacher.
In Nebraska, the difference is small: public school ratios are just 1.4% higher than those in private schools. South Dakota and Wisconsin tell a similar story, with public school ratios only 5.1% and 5.7% higher than their private counterparts, respectively. In these states, private schools may not offer as much of a class size advantage.
This comparison underscores how the public-private divide varies widely depending on where you live. For families prioritizing small class sizes, it’s essential to consider not just the school type but the state-level context as well.
How Public School Student-Teacher Ratios Have Changed Since COVID-19
The pandemic reshaped many aspects of American education, and class sizes were no exception. While some states have managed to reduce their student-teacher ratios in the years since 2020–2021, others are grappling with increasingly overcrowded classrooms.
States Where Classrooms Have Gotten More Crowded Since COVID
- Florida: +6.6%
- Alaska: +5.8%
- Nevada: +4.8%
- Montana: +3.1%
- Kansas: +2.6%
Florida tops the list, with public school classrooms now averaging nearly 7% more students per teacher than during the height of COVID-19, the largest increase in the nation. In Florida, the student-teacher ratio rose from 17.30 in the 2020–2021 school year to 18.44 in 2023–2024. Alaska and Nevada also saw notable increases, with ratios climbing 5.8% and 4.8%, respectively, over the same period.
After COVID, school districts in many states faced staffing challenges as teachers left the profession in higher numbers, while others struggled to fill open roles. At the same time, shifts in enrollment and delayed hiring recoveries meant some classrooms grew larger even as student populations stabilized.
States Where Classrooms Have Gotten Less Crowded Since COVID
- Louisiana: -19.8%
- Minnesota: -8.1%
- Mississippi: -7.9%
- Virginia: -6.9%
- New York: -4.6%
Louisiana stands out for its dramatic shift—class sizes have decreased by nearly 20% between the 2020-2021 and 2023-2024 school years, improving student-teacher ratios by more than 3.5 students per classroom. Other states like Minnesota, Mississippi, Virginia, and New York have also seen shrinking class sizes since COVID-19.
Most Stable States
New Jersey, Maryland, and Iowa all reported virtually no change in student-teacher ratios between the 2020-2021 and 2023-2024 school years, reflecting either a steady education policy or neutral impact from pandemic-era disruptions.
These shifts suggest that while some states have taken steps to rebuild more supportive classroom environments, others are still navigating post-pandemic staffing and enrollment challenges.
How Class Sizes Have Shifted in Public Schools Since the 1950s
Over the last seven decades, public school class sizes in the U.S. have experienced a dramatic transformation, at least in the early years. In 1955, the national average stood at 26.9 students per teacher. Today, that number has dropped to 14.7, reflecting a long-term shift toward smaller classrooms and greater teacher support.
However, the steepest declines occurred before the 2000s. Since 2004, when the national ratio was 15.8, the change has been more modest—a 7% decrease over 20 years. In fact, from 2005 to 2019, student-teacher ratios hovered consistently between 15.3 and 16.1 before dipping again during the COVID-19 years. Despite decades of reform efforts, class sizes have remained relatively steady since the turn of the century.
Closing Thoughts
With school staffing shortages and concerns about education quality in the headlines, this study highlights where students may be receiving the most (or least) individualized instruction. If your area isn’t meeting your educational expectations, alternative schooling models—like one-on-one learning environments—may be a better option.
At Fusion Academy, students benefit from true 1-to-1 instruction across 80+ campuses and online through Fusion Global Academy. This unique approach isn’t just personal—it’s proven. Fusion students experience 41% more academic growth in a school year compared to their peers nationally. And while 1-to-1 learning is highly individualized, it doesn’t mean students miss out on connection. Fusion campuses foster a strong sense of community, with clubs, events, and a Homework Café designed to encourage social interaction between students and build friendships. Click here to learn more about our 1-to-1 learning model and how it’s helping students thrive.
Methodology
To uncover which U.S. states have the most (and least) crowded classrooms, we analyzed the latest available student-teacher ratio data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Public school student-teacher ratios were sourced from the 2023–2024 school year. Private school student-teacher ratios were sourced from the 2020–2021 school year, the most recent data available from NCES for private institutions.
In addition to reviewing current ratios, we also analyzed NCES historical data dating back to 1955 to examine long-term trends in classroom sizes. We calculated percentage changes in ratios over time to highlight where class sizes have increased or decreased, including shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To compare public and private school ratios by state, we used 2020–2021 data for both sectors to ensure consistency. This allowed us to highlight where the biggest gaps exist—and where smaller class sizes are more attainable through private education. Data was unavailable for Illinois and Utah during the 2020-2021 school year, so those two states were excluded from the public-private school comparison.
