Average IQ in Minnesota: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~104
US Ranking
#5
of 50 states
Region
Midwest
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 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 | ~104 | #5 |
| Iowa | ~103 | #8 |
| Wisconsin | ~103 | #10 |
| North Dakota | ~103 | #10 |
| Nebraska | ~101 | #15 |
| South Dakota | ~101 | #15 |
| Kansas | ~102 | #16 |
| Illinois | ~100 | #22 |
| Ohio | ~100 | #24 |
| Michigan | ~99 | #25 |
| Missouri | ~100 | #26 |
| Indiana | ~99 | #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
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.