Average IQ by state

Estimated average IQ for all 50 US states runs from 95 to 104, with Massachusetts highest and a state average of about 99. State figures like this are modelled from school achievement data, the approach used by McDaniel (2006), rather than measured with IQ tests.

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Average IQ by state: all 50

50 of 50

US states ranked by estimated average IQ, with education rank and leading universities
				Leading universities	Main industries
Massachusetts	104	#1	#1	Harvard University, MIT	Technology, Healthcare
New Hampshire	103	#2	#4	Dartmouth College, University of New Hampshire	Technology, Manufacturing
Connecticut	103	#3	#5	Yale University, University of Connecticut	Finance, Insurance
Maryland	103	#4	#3	Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland	Government, Biotechnology
Vermont	103	#5	#6	University of Vermont, Middlebury College	Tourism, Agriculture
Minnesota	103	#6	#7	University of Minnesota, Carleton College	Healthcare, Finance
New Jersey	102	#7	#2	Princeton University, Rutgers University	Pharmaceuticals, Finance
Virginia	101	#8	#8	University of Virginia, Virginia Tech	Government, Defense
Washington	101	#9	#9	University of Washington, Washington State University	Technology, Aerospace
Colorado	101	#10	#10	University of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines	Technology, Aerospace
Oregon	101	#11	#13	University of Oregon, Oregon State University	Technology, Manufacturing
Wisconsin	101	#12	#14	University of Wisconsin-Madison	Manufacturing, Agriculture
Utah	101	#13	#15	University of Utah, Brigham Young University	Technology, Healthcare
Maine	101	#14	#18	Bowdoin College, Colby College	Tourism, Fishing
North Dakota	101	#15	#20	University of North Dakota	Agriculture, Energy
Montana	101	#16	#21	University of Montana, Montana State University	Agriculture, Tourism
Iowa	101	#17	#22	University of Iowa, Iowa State University	Agriculture, Manufacturing
Nebraska	101	#18	#23	University of Nebraska	Agriculture, Finance
New York	100	#19	#11	Columbia University, Cornell University	Finance, Media
California	100	#20	#12	Stanford University, UC Berkeley	Technology, Entertainment
Pennsylvania	100	#21	#16	University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon	Healthcare, Education
Illinois	100	#22	#17	University of Chicago, Northwestern University	Finance, Manufacturing
Rhode Island	100	#23	#19	Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design	Healthcare, Education
Kansas	100	#24	#24	University of Kansas, Kansas State University	Agriculture, Aviation
South Dakota	100	#25	#28	University of South Dakota, South Dakota State	Agriculture, Finance
Idaho	100	#26	#29	University of Idaho, Boise State University	Agriculture, Technology
Ohio	99	#27	#25	Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve	Manufacturing, Healthcare
Michigan	99	#28	#26	University of Michigan, Michigan State University	Automotive, Healthcare
Delaware	99	#29	#27	University of Delaware	Finance, Chemicals
Indiana	99	#30	#30	University of Notre Dame, Purdue University	Manufacturing, Healthcare
Missouri	99	#31	#31	Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri	Manufacturing, Healthcare
Florida	98	#32	#32	University of Florida, University of Miami	Tourism, Healthcare
Texas	98	#33	#33	Rice University, UT Austin	Energy, Technology
Georgia	98	#34	#34	Emory University, Georgia Tech	Technology, Film
North Carolina	98	#35	#35	Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill	Technology, Finance
Arizona	98	#36	#36	Arizona State University, University of Arizona	Technology, Tourism
Wyoming	98	#37	#49	University of Wyoming	Energy, Agriculture
Tennessee	97	#38	#37	Vanderbilt University, University of Tennessee	Healthcare, Music
South Carolina	97	#39	#38	University of South Carolina, Clemson University	Manufacturing, Tourism
Oklahoma	97	#40	#39	University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University	Energy, Agriculture
Kentucky	97	#41	#40	University of Kentucky, University of Louisville	Manufacturing, Healthcare
Arkansas	97	#42	#41	University of Arkansas	Retail, Agriculture
Nevada	97	#43	#42	University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Nevada Reno	Gaming, Tourism
Hawaii	97	#44	#46	University of Hawaii	Tourism, Military
Alaska	97	#45	#47	University of Alaska	Energy, Fishing
West Virginia	96	#46	#43	West Virginia University	Energy, Healthcare
Alabama	96	#47	#44	University of Alabama, Auburn University	Aerospace, Automotive
New Mexico	96	#48	#45	University of New Mexico	Energy, Defense
Louisiana	96	#49	#48	Tulane University, Louisiana State University	Energy, Healthcare
Mississippi	95	#50	#50	University of Mississippi, Mississippi State	Agriculture, Manufacturing

The whole spread is under 10 points, smaller than the range inside any single classroom. Estimates come from educational achievement data and describe state averages, not individuals.

States by region

Region	States	Avg IQ	Highest
Northeast	9	102	MA 104
Midwest	12	100	MN 103
South	16	98	MD 103
West	13	99	WA 101

Frequently asked questions

Which US state has the highest average IQ?

Massachusetts has the highest average IQ at 104, largely due to its concentration of elite universities like Harvard and MIT, and strong educational infrastructure.

What factors affect state IQ averages?

State IQ averages are influenced by educational investment, university density, economic opportunities, migration patterns of educated workers, and socioeconomic factors.

Are state IQ rankings accurate?

State IQ estimates are derived from educational achievement data, SAT/ACT scores, and demographic studies. They represent statistical averages and don't reflect individual capability.

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