Average IQ in Maine: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~103
US Ranking
#6
of 50 states
Region
Northeast
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 Maine's IQ Ranking
Maine ranks in the top 10 thanks to its New England education tradition, small class sizes, and strong community schools. Despite being rural with modest economic resources, Maine's education system punches above its weight through dedicated teachers and engaged communities. The state's aging population means fewer students per district, allowing more resources per child.
What Shapes Maine's Cognitive Profile
Maine put a laptop in the hands of every seventh grader in 2002, the first statewide one-to-one computing program in the country, an initiative championed by governor Angus King that ran for two decades. The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor breeds the research mice used in laboratories worldwide and stands as one of the largest genetics research employers in northern New England. The state's median age is the oldest in the nation, which shrinks school enrollment but raises per-student resources almost by default. Somali and other African immigrant communities revitalized Lewiston's schools and demographics after 2001, a closely studied resettlement story. The University of Maine leads research in forest bioproducts and floating offshore wind platforms, fields matched precisely to the state's geography. Coastal towns from Portland to Camden attract educated remote workers while the inland mill towns of the Katahdin region continue contracting. The estimated average benefits from stability more than from economic dynamism.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Maine vs Other Northeast States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | ~103 | #6 |
| Massachusetts | ~104 | #1 |
| New Hampshire | ~104 | #2 |
| Vermont | ~104 | #3 |
| Connecticut | ~103 | #4 |
| New Jersey | ~103 | #8 |
| Rhode Island | ~101 | #17 |
| New York | ~101 | #18 |
| Pennsylvania | ~101 | #20 |
| Delaware | ~100 | #24 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Maine?
Maine's estimated average IQ is 103.4, ranking #6 nationally. New England's education tradition and small class sizes produce strong results despite the state's modest economic resources.
Why does Maine rank so high?
Maine benefits from the New England tradition of strong public schools, very low student-teacher ratios, engaged communities, and relatively low poverty. The state proves that education quality doesn't require wealth.
How does Maine compare to other New England states?
Maine (103.4) ranks competitively with the rest of New England — behind Massachusetts (104.3) and New Hampshire (104.2) but ahead of Rhode Island and close to Vermont (103.8).
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.