The Student Problem Areas Survey was administered to 237 black and white students attending a predominantly white university and 55 black students attending a predominantly black university. The instrument was developed at the University Counseling Center for the purpose of determining broad problem areas within which relevant mental health programs might be developed. It contains 20 problem areas with examples of specific problems which respondents are asked to rate according to how frequently they need assistance with them. The 20 problem areas were developed from a list of 55 problems that 20 black resident assistants in a peer counselor training program listed. Data from a two way randomized block design were analyzed by way of a multivariate analysis of variance and a series of analyses of variance. The pattern of results showed several significant differences on specific problem areas, but none between blacks attending universities with different racial make-ups, nor between the groups on variables that typically suggest counseling needs. The counseling needs of black students were found to be similar regardless of the racial composition of the university population. Given the similarities between black and white students' self report on the problem areas, it appears that, in the absence of data clearly indicating otherwise, all counselors should initially assume that some variation of the counseling methods typically used with white students would be useful with black students. (Author/AM)