Average IQ in Maryland
Average IQ
102.3
US Ranking
#12
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 Maryland's IQ Ranking
Maryland benefits enormously from its proximity to Washington DC, with many federal employees and government contractors living in the state. Montgomery and Howard counties are among the nation's wealthiest and best-educated. Johns Hopkins University and the National Institutes of Health anchor a robust biomedical research corridor. However, Baltimore City faces significant educational challenges.
What Shapes Maryland's Cognitive Profile
Maryland households post the highest median income of any state, and the suburban counties ringing Washington concentrate doctoral degrees at rates matched by only a handful of metro areas nationally. Fort Meade's NSA campus and US Cyber Command make the state a global center of cryptographic and signals intelligence work, with contractor parks in Columbia and Annapolis Junction continuously absorbing mathematicians and computer scientists. The Blueprint for Maryland's Future, the multibillion dollar reform passed in 2021 out of the Kirwan Commission's recommendations, ranks among the most ambitious K-12 funding overhauls any state has attempted. UMBC built a national reputation for moving Black students into STEM doctorates during Freeman Hrabowski's long presidency. Montgomery County's magnet programs and Howard County's districts perform at levels comparable to elite Northeast suburbs. Yet recent statewide NAEP results have been mediocre, trailing what the demographics would predict. The estimated average leans on the federal workforce more than on K-12 output.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Maryland vs Other South States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 102.3 | #12 |
| Virginia | 101.9 | #9 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | 95.3 | #45 |
| Arkansas | 95 | #46 |
| Mississippi | 94.2 | #50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Maryland?
Maryland's estimated average IQ is 102.3, ranking #12. The DC suburbs drive the high average, while Baltimore faces educational challenges that moderate the state's overall performance.
How does DC proximity affect Maryland?
Federal employment and government contracting create a highly educated population in Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties. These residents raise Maryland's average significantly compared to other mid-Atlantic states.
How does Maryland compare to Virginia?
Virginia (101.9) and Maryland (102.3) are close, both benefiting from the DC metro area. Maryland's slightly higher average reflects its more concentrated DC-adjacent population.
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.