Average IQ at MIT

The estimated average IQ of students at MIT is about 150. It comes from SAT and ACT score research, not from testing anyone on campus.

MIT students average about 150. What's yours?

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Key facts

Estimated average IQ
150
Location
Cambridge, MA
Dominant archetype
The Innovator
Notable alumni
Richard Feynman, Buzz Aldrin, Noam Chomsky

The student profile

Technically brilliant, obsessed with problem-solving, and often unconventional. They value raw intelligence above all else.

Dominant archetype is The Innovator, which often shows up as the campus default: what gets praised, what gets funded, and how status is earned.

Notable alumni include Richard Feynman, Buzz Aldrin, and Noam Chomsky.

Signature majors

Majors strongly associated with MIT in our dataset, with the typical student profile for each.

MIT: common questions

What is the average IQ of MIT students?

Estimated average IQ is about 150. This number is an approximation, not an admissions cutoff and not a guarantee of performance.

What kind of student thrives at MIT?

Students who thrive here usually match the campus archetype (The Innovator) and can sustain high cognitive load while maintaining recovery systems.

How should I prepare for MIT?

Build two things: (1) deep-work stamina, and (2) social systems. High-achievement environments reward focus, but long-term success requires relationships and recovery.

Is MIT a good fit for me?

Fit comes down to study style and culture. If you enjoy competition, high standards, and a fast learning curve, it can feel energizing. If you prefer slower pace and lower pressure, it may feel draining.

MIT students average about 150. What's yours?

A campus average hides a wide spread of students. Your own score from 25 visual reasoning questions says far more about you.

Take the IQ test

25 questions · about 12 minutes

Sources

  1. Wai, J., Cacchio, M., Putallaz, M., & Makel, M. C. (2010). Sex differences in the right tail of cognitive abilities: A 30-year examination. Intelligence, 38(4), 412-423.
  2. Frey, M. C., & Detterman, D. K. (2004). Scholastic Assessment or g? The relationship between the Scholastic Assessment Test and general cognitive ability. Psychological Science, 15(6), 373-378.

Last reviewed February 2026.