Average IQ in Alaska
Average IQ
99
US Ranking
#30
of 50 states
Region
West
Note: State-level IQ estimates are derived from standardized test scores (NAEP, SAT, ACT) and demographic data. They reflect population-level trends influenced by education funding, socioeconomic factors, and demographics — not the intelligence of any individual resident.
About Alaska's IQ Ranking
Alaska faces unique educational challenges due to extreme geography — many communities are accessible only by air, creating one-room schools and difficulty attracting teachers. The state's oil revenue funds reasonable education spending, and urban areas like Anchorage and Fairbanks have functional school systems. Alaska Native communities face particular educational equity challenges.
What Shapes Alaska's Cognitive Profile
The Molly Hootch case settlement in 1976 forced Alaska to build high schools in more than a hundred rural Native villages, ending the era when teenagers were sent to distant boarding schools, and the resulting network of tiny schools still defines rural education there. Teacher turnover runs the highest in the nation, with some bush districts replacing a third of their staff every year. The university system absorbed deep budget cuts after a 2019 standoff with the governor, shrinking programs across all three campuses. Homeschooling through state correspondence programs enrolls a larger share of students than anywhere else, a system whose allotment spending reached the state supreme court. Recent NAEP results rank near the very bottom of the states, prompting the Alaska Reads Act of 2022. The Permanent Fund Dividend hands every resident an annual oil payout, a policy with measured effects on family finances. Estimated averages diverge enormously between Anchorage's hillside neighborhoods and villages off the road system.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Alaska vs Other West States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 99 | #30 |
| Oregon | 103.4 | #6 |
| Washington | 102.9 | #7 |
| Montana | 103.4 | #7 |
| Colorado | 102.5 | #11 |
| Wyoming | 102.4 | #11 |
| California | 101.5 | #14 |
| Idaho | 101.4 | #15 |
| Utah | 101.1 | #17 |
| Hawaii | 99.4 | #25 |
| Arizona | 97.4 | #38 |
| Nevada | 96.5 | #40 |
| New Mexico | 95 | #47 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Alaska?
Alaska's estimated average IQ is 99.0, ranking #30. Extreme geography creates unique educational logistics challenges, though oil revenue provides reasonable school funding.
How does Alaska's geography affect education?
Many Alaskan communities are accessible only by bush plane, requiring one-teacher schools and distance learning. Teacher recruitment in remote areas is extremely difficult, and educational resources are expensive to transport.
How does Alaska compare to Hawaii?
Alaska (99.0) and Hawaii (99.4) both face geographic isolation challenges unique among US states. Hawaii's milder climate makes teacher recruitment easier, giving it a slight edge.
Explore Other States
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MyIQScores Editorial Team
Researchers in cognitive psychology, psychometrics & educational science
Last updated
May 10, 2026
All content on MyIQScores is reviewed for scientific accuracy against peer-reviewed research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics. Our editorial team cross-references each article with published literature before publication and updates pages whenever new research warrants a revision.