Average IQ by US State

All 50 states ranked by estimated average IQ — click any state to see details, methodology, and how it compares to neighbors.

Methodology: State IQ estimates are derived from NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) scores, SAT/ACT average results, and published academic research correlating state-level test performance with standardized IQ assessments. These are estimates of cognitive performance, not innate ability — they reflect education quality, socioeconomic factors, and demographic composition. Individual IQs vary enormously within every state.

Northeast

102.4

Regional avg IQ

Midwest

101.3

Regional avg IQ

West

100.5

Regional avg IQ

South

97.4

Regional avg IQ

● 103+ (High)● 100–102 (Above avg)● 97–99 (Average)● Below 97 (Below avg)
RankStateAvg IQ
#1Massachusetts104.3
#2New Hampshire104.2
#3Vermont103.8
#4Connecticut103.1
#5Minnesota103.7
#6Oregon103.4
#6Maine103.4
#7Washington102.9
#7Montana103.4
#8New Jersey102.8
#8Iowa103.2
#9Virginia101.9
#10Wisconsin102.9
#10North Dakota102.7
#11Colorado102.5
#11Wyoming102.4
#12Maryland102.3
#14California101.5
#15Nebraska101.4
#15South Dakota101.4
#15Idaho101.4
#16Kansas101.7
#17Utah101.1
#17Rhode Island101.0
#18New York100.7
#20Pennsylvania100.5
#22Illinois100.1
#24Ohio99.8
#24Delaware99.8
#25Michigan99.4
#25Hawaii99.4
#26Texas99.6
#26Missouri99.5
#27Indiana99.3
#28North Carolina99.2
#30Alaska99.0
#32Florida98.4
#35Georgia98.0
#38Arizona97.4
#39Tennessee97.1
#39Oklahoma97.0
#40Nevada96.5
#41South Carolina96.4
#42Kentucky96.0
#43Alabama95.7
#44West Virginia95.5
#45Louisiana95.3
#46Arkansas95.0
#47New Mexico95.0
#50Mississippi94.2

Also see: Average IQ in the US | Average IQ by Country | What Is IQ? | Take the Free IQ Test