Average IQ in Arkansas: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~95
US Ranking
#46
of 50 states
Region
South
Note: No state administers IQ tests to its residents. These estimates are proxy conversions from standardized achievement scores (NAEP, SAT, ACT) — an approach popularized by McDaniel's 2006 state-IQ estimates in the journal Intelligence — combined with demographic data. Proxy conversions carry real limitations: SAT/ACT participation rates differ sharply by state and bias comparisons, and the variation within any state dwarfs the differences between states. Figures are shown rounded; decimal precision would overstate what these proxies can support. They say nothing about any individual resident.
About Arkansas's IQ Ranking
Arkansas ranks in the lower tier due to high poverty rates, limited education funding, and a largely rural population with fewer educational resources. However, Northwest Arkansas (Walmart/Tyson headquarters region) has experienced rapid growth and improving educational outcomes. The state was an early adopter of school choice programs and has invested in computer science education for all students.
What Shapes Arkansas's Cognitive Profile
The LEARNS Act of 2023 raised Arkansas minimum teacher salaries from among the nation's lowest to $50,000, one of the largest single-year pay jumps any state has enacted, while phasing in universal vouchers alongside it. The Lake View ruling two decades earlier had already forced funding equalization across districts. Northeast Arkansas built an unexpected steel corridor: Big River Steel and US Steel investments made Mississippi County one of the largest steel-producing counties in America, demanding metallurgists and skilled technicians in a former cotton region. The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has grown rapidly on Walton family philanthropy, including a fully endowed graduate business school and the Crystal Bridges museum ecosystem nearby. Delta counties along the Mississippi River continue some of the steepest population losses in the country, leaving schools with shrinking enrollment and eroding tax bases. UAMS in Little Rock anchors the state's medical research. The estimated average sits low statewide while the northwest corner behaves like a different state entirely.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Arkansas vs Other South States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | ~95 | #46 |
| Virginia | ~102 | #9 |
| Maryland | ~102 | #12 |
| Texas | ~100 | #26 |
| North Carolina | ~99 | #28 |
| Florida | ~98 | #32 |
| Georgia | ~98 | #35 |
| Tennessee | ~97 | #39 |
| Oklahoma | ~97 | #39 |
| South Carolina | ~96 | #41 |
| Kentucky | ~96 | #42 |
| Alabama | ~96 | #43 |
| West Virginia | ~96 | #44 |
| Louisiana | ~95 | #45 |
| Mississippi | ~94 | #50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Arkansas?
Arkansas' estimated average IQ is 95.0, ranking #46. High poverty and limited education resources challenge the state, though Northwest Arkansas is rapidly improving.
How is Northwest Arkansas different?
The Walmart/Tyson/JB Hunt headquarters region in NW Arkansas has boomed economically, attracting educated workers from nationwide. Bentonville's schools now rival top suburban districts nationally, though the rest of the state lags.
How does Arkansas compare to Mississippi?
Arkansas (95.0) ranks above Mississippi (94.2) but below most Southern states. Both face similar challenges with rural poverty and education funding, though Arkansas' NW corridor provides more economic momentum.
Explore Other States
Take our free IQ test to see how you compare, or learn what IQ actually measures.
MyIQScores Editorial Team
Editorial team focused on cognitive testing & psychometrics research
Last updated
May 10, 2026
MyIQScores content is written and maintained by our editorial team using published research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics as its source base. We label estimates as estimates, link primary sources where available, correct errors when readers flag them, and update pages as research or feedback warrants — see our corrections policy.