Average IQ in Minnesota
Average IQ
103.7
US Ranking
#5
of 50 states
Region
Midwest
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 Minnesota's IQ Ranking
Minnesota is the Midwest's top performer, with a strong public education tradition rooted in Scandinavian immigrant values of egalitarianism and community investment. The state consistently ranks among the top 5 nationally in education outcomes. Minnesota's economy balances healthcare, technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, creating diverse opportunities for educated workers.
What Shapes Minnesota's Cognitive Profile
Seventeen Fortune 500 headquarters cluster in the Twin Cities, from UnitedHealth to Target to 3M, a corporate density that generates persistent demand for analysts, engineers, and researchers. Rochester adds the Mayo Clinic, whose research enterprise draws clinicians from around the world. Medical device manufacturing, led by Medtronic and Boston Scientific operations, makes Minnesota arguably the global capital of med-tech engineering. Against this backdrop sits an uncomfortable statistic: the state has recorded some of the widest Black-white and Native-white achievement gaps on NAEP of any state, meaning the strong average conceals sharply unequal outcomes within the Minneapolis and St. Paul districts. The University of Minnesota's flagship campus enrolls more than 50,000 students and retains many in-state, limiting brain drain. ACT scores historically led the nation back when participation was near universal. Estimated averages in the Iron Range and rural northwest trail the metro by a smaller margin than rural regions do in most states, a legacy of evenly funded country districts.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Minnesota vs Other Midwest States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 103.7 | #5 |
| Iowa | 103.2 | #8 |
| Wisconsin | 102.9 | #10 |
| North Dakota | 102.7 | #10 |
| Nebraska | 101.4 | #15 |
| South Dakota | 101.4 | #15 |
| Kansas | 101.7 | #16 |
| Illinois | 100.1 | #22 |
| Ohio | 99.8 | #24 |
| Michigan | 99.4 | #25 |
| Missouri | 99.5 | #26 |
| Indiana | 99.3 | #27 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Minnesota?
Minnesota's estimated average IQ is 103.7, ranking #5 nationally and #1 in the Midwest. The state's strong education tradition and investment in public schools drive consistently high cognitive outcomes.
Why does Minnesota perform so well educationally?
Minnesota benefits from a culture that strongly values public education, well-funded school districts, strong teacher unions that maintain teaching quality, and Scandinavian-heritage values of community investment and egalitarianism.
How does Minnesota compare to other Midwest states?
Minnesota (103.7) leads the Midwest, followed by Wisconsin and Iowa. The upper Midwest generally outperforms the lower Midwest due to stronger education traditions and lower poverty rates.
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.