The Top 10 Most Crowded Schools By State (Average Class Size By State)

Crowded Classroom

Average Class Size By State Research Summary

Utah has the most crowded schools, with an average class size of 26 students.

Maine has the least crowded schools, with an average class size of only 17 students.

The national average class size in the US is 24 students as of 2022.

68.1% of teachers agree that the subject they teach is negatively affected by the number of students.

As we move into 2026, families are keen to understand how classroom sizes impact their children’s education. The ongoing evolution in educational practices and increased focus on student well-being have made average class sizes an important topic of discussion. With the rise of hybrid learning models and technology integration in classrooms, understanding how crowded classrooms are can help parents navigate their children’s educational landscape.

To identify which states have the largest class sizes—and consequently the most crowded classrooms—we conducted an analysis of average class sizes across the country.

Top 10 Most Crowded Classrooms

This list highlights states where managing classroom sizes remains a significant challenge, particularly in light of ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes and student engagement.

Average Class Size By State, Including Elementary And High School

Rank	State	Elementary Class Size	Secondary Class Size	Average Class Size
1	Utah	24	29	26
2	California	21	29	25
3	Michigan	25	26	25
4	Nevada	21	28	25
5	Oregon	23	26	24
6	Minnesota	23	25	24
7	Arizona	23	25	24
8	Washington	23	25	24
9	Indiana	21	25	23
10	Idaho	23	22	23
11	Kentucky	22	23	22
12	Illinois	21	23	22
13	Colorado	21	23	22
14	Alaska	20	24	22
15	Hawaii	20	23	22
16	Florida	18	25	21
17	Ohio	21	22	21
18	Alabama	19	24	21
19	Maryland	20	22	21
20	Wisconsin	19	23	21
21	Pennsylvania	21	21	21
22	Delaware	22	19	21
23	Rhode Island	20	21	21
24	New Mexico	19	22	20
25	New Jersey	19	21	20
26	Missouri	20	21	20
27	Tennessee	17	23	20
28	Connecticut	19	21	20
29	Iowa	20	20	20
30	Oklahoma	19	20	20
31	Georgia	17	23	20
32	South Dakota	18	21	20
33	Arkansas	20	20	20
34	New York	18	21	20
35	New Hampshire	19	21	20
36	South Carolina	18	21	20
37	West Virginia	19	21	20
38	Kansas	19	20	20
39	Mississippi	19	20	19
40	Texas	17	21	19
41	Louisiana	18	20	19
42	Montana	19	19	19
43	Massachusetts	19	19	19
44	North Carolina	19	19	19
45	Virginia	18	20	19
46	Nebraska	19	18	19
47	Wyoming	18	18	18
48	Vermont	17	19	18
49	North Dakota	17	18	18
50	Maine	17	17	17

How We Determined The States With The Largest Class Size

To identify states with the largest class sizes, we analyzed data from the National Center For Education Statistics.

For elementary schools, we calculated the average class size for teachers in self-contained classrooms. For secondary schools, we considered average class sizes for teachers using departmentalized instruction. These figures were then averaged to derive the average state class size. States with larger class sizes ranked higher.

While these averages provide valuable insight, they do not capture the entire story of individual teachers or districts. Class sizes can vary significantly depending on the subject, with non-core classes like music or art often having larger groups. Additionally, some schools may have smaller class sizes while others are more crowded, reflecting the diversity of educational settings across states.

Ultimately, while this data offers a broad understanding, it does not fully address the unique challenges that each school and district faces as they adapt to contemporary educational needs.

1. Utah

Utah Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 24.2
Secondary Class Size: 29
Average Class Size: 26.6

Utah has the largest average class size in the U.S. at 26.6 students. With classrooms already crowded, the state faces challenges in adhering to modern educational guidelines aimed at promoting student engagement and learning effectiveness.

2. California

California Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 21.6
Secondary Class Size: 29.9
Average Class Size: 25.75

California ranks second with an average class size of 25.75 students. The state’s secondary schools are particularly crowded, with an average size of 29.9 students, highlighting the need for innovative teaching strategies to enhance student learning.

3. Michigan

Michigan Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 24.2
Secondary Class Size: 29
Average Class Size: 26.6

Michigan ranks third with a high average class size of 26.6 students. The state’s elementary schools have the highest class sizes, which may require innovative solutions to ensure effective learning environments.

4. Nevada

Nevada Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 21.6
Secondary Class Size: 29.9
Average Class Size: 25.75

Nevada’s average class size stands at 25.75. With one of the highest secondary school class sizes, the state must explore creative approaches to improve educational outcomes.

5. Oregon

Oregon Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 25.1
Secondary Class Size: 26.1
Average Class Size: 25.6

Oregon’s average class size of 25.6 students reflects the challenges educators face in fostering personalized learning in crowded environments.

6. Minnesota

Minnesota Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 21.6
Secondary Class Size: 28.4
Average Class Size: 25

With an average of 25 students, Minnesota ranks sixth, showcasing the need for innovative teaching strategies to accommodate larger class sizes.

7. Arizona

Arizona Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 23.4
Secondary Class Size: 26.3
Average Class Size: 24.85

Arizona’s average class size of 24.85 students reflects its challenges in managing classroom dynamics and promoting effective learning.

8. Washington

Washington Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 23.7
Secondary Class Size: 25.5
Average Class Size: 24.6

Washington ranks eighth with an average class size of 24.6 students, which poses unique challenges for educators in fostering an engaging learning environment.

9. Indiana

Indiana Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 23.6
Secondary Class Size: 25.4
Average Class Size: 24.5

Indiana’s average class size of 24.5 showcases the need for innovative classroom management strategies to enhance student engagement.

10. Idaho

Idaho Capitol

Elementary Class Size: 23.3
Secondary Class Size: 25.5
Average Class Size: 24.4

Idaho rounds out the top ten with an average class size of 24.4 students, emphasizing the need for effective classroom strategies to support diverse learning experiences.

Can Social Distancing Be Achieved in Crowded Classrooms?

As educational institutions continue to navigate the balance between in-person and remote learning, parents are increasingly concerned about classroom environments. Some educators feel that maintaining social distance in crowded classrooms is a significant challenge. Schools are implementing various strategies, including additional staff, modified schedules, and innovative learning solutions to address these issues.

As we continue to adapt to these evolving educational landscapes, it’s clear that some states face greater challenges than others in managing classroom sizes while ensuring quality education.

Author

Amanda Postma

Amanda Postma is a writer for the Zippia Career Advice blog with a focus on creating entertaining content to help you through your job search. She received her BA from the University Of Missouri-Columbia.

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