Average IQ in Louisiana
Average IQ
95.3
US Ranking
#45
of 50 states
Region
South
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 Louisiana's IQ Ranking
Louisiana faces significant educational challenges rooted in high poverty rates, limited education funding, and the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans' school system. Interestingly, New Orleans' post-Katrina charter school experiment has produced mixed but sometimes promising results. Baton Rouge benefits from LSU's presence, and the state's oil industry supports some well-funded communities, but overall educational outcomes remain below the national average.
What Shapes Louisiana's Cognitive Profile
Louisiana posted some of the strongest NAEP reading growth in the nation in 2022 and 2024, an unexpected surge tied to phonics-based instruction mandates and literacy coach deployment that observers now group with the broader Southern early-grade reform wave. The petrochemical corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans employs thousands of chemical engineers and process specialists, one of the densest concentrations of such work in the hemisphere. TOPS, the state merit scholarship, keeps many graduates at LSU but strains the treasury in lean years. Outmigration to Texas removes a steady stream of educated young workers, a flow visible in census data for two decades. Tulane provides New Orleans a private research anchor, and the city's post-2005 system became the country's first nearly all-charter district. Rural parishes north of Alexandria post attainment among the South's lowest. The estimated average remains in the bottom ten, though the elementary grade trendline now points clearly upward.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Louisiana vs Other South States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 95.3 | #45 |
| Virginia | 101.9 | #9 |
| Maryland | 102.3 | #12 |
| Texas | 99.6 | #26 |
| North Carolina | 99.2 | #28 |
| Florida | 98.4 | #32 |
| Georgia | 98 | #35 |
| Tennessee | 97.1 | #39 |
| Oklahoma | 97 | #39 |
| South Carolina | 96.4 | #41 |
| Kentucky | 96 | #42 |
| Alabama | 95.7 | #43 |
| West Virginia | 95.5 | #44 |
| Arkansas | 95 | #46 |
| Mississippi | 94.2 | #50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Louisiana?
Louisiana's estimated average IQ is 95.3, ranking #45. High poverty rates and education funding challenges contribute to below-average cognitive test performance.
How did Hurricane Katrina affect Louisiana's education?
Katrina devastated New Orleans' already struggling school system. The post-Katrina rebuild transitioned most schools to charters, creating a natural experiment in education reform with mixed results — some schools dramatically improved while others have not.
How does Louisiana compare to Mississippi?
Louisiana (95.3) ranks slightly above Mississippi (94.2). Both states face similar challenges with poverty and education funding, though Louisiana's larger urban economies provide somewhat more educational resources.
Explore Other States
Take our free IQ test to see how you compare, or learn what IQ actually measures.
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.