To highlight differences in student-to-counselor ratios, NACAC has prepared a series of state maps using school district-level data available from the US Department of Education.

Research has shown that secondary school counselors play a critical role in facilitating the transition to postsecondary education. Unfortunately, the ability of public school counselors to assist students with college planning is often hindered by unmanageable caseloads. In 2015-16, only two states—Vermont and New Hampshire—had average counselor caseloads that met the 250 maximum recommended by the American School Counselors Association (ASCA).

Although state averages provide a general sense of how states are meeting students’ school counseling needs, they can mask substantial differences in student-to-counselor ratios within states. A school district-level analysis draws attention to areas most in need of outreach and support.

This project is an update and extension of the 2018 State-by-State Student-to-Counselor Ratio Report, done in partnership with ASCA, which tracks counselor caseloads over a  10-year period from 2004-05 to 2014-15.

Download the report or view the interactive maps on Tableau Public.