Average IQ in Missouri: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~100
US Ranking
#26
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 Missouri's IQ Ranking
Missouri sits near the national average, with St. Louis and Kansas City's knowledge economies balanced by rural communities facing economic challenges. Washington University in St. Louis is a world-class research institution, and Kansas City's tech and healthcare sectors are growing. The state's central location and lower cost of living attract educated workers from expensive coastal states.
What Shapes Missouri's Cognitive Profile
Kansas City's school district lost state accreditation in 2012 after decades of decline that followed one of America's most expensive desegregation experiments, a court-ordered plan that spent roughly two billion dollars on magnet schools without closing achievement gaps, a case still cited in education policy debates. St. Louis built the Cortex innovation district on its medical and plant science base, with the Danforth Plant Science Center and Washington University's genomics work giving the metro genuine research depth. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's new western headquarters in north St. Louis added thousands of analytical jobs to a struggling part of the city. Charter schools operate only in the two largest cities by law, leaving the rest of the state fully traditional. Southern Ozarks counties combine low attainment with steady growth around Springfield and Branson's service economy. Mizzou absorbed a sharp enrollment drop after 2015 before recovering. The estimated average lands at the national mean, pulled in both directions at once.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Missouri vs Other Midwest States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | ~100 | #26 |
| 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 |
| Indiana | ~99 | #27 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Missouri?
Missouri's estimated average IQ is 99.5, ranking #26 — essentially average. St. Louis and Kansas City's educated populations balance rural areas with fewer resources.
How do St. Louis and Kansas City affect Missouri?
Both cities have growing knowledge economies — Washington University and BJC Healthcare in St. Louis, and the Cerner/Oracle health tech hub in Kansas City. These metro areas drive Missouri's educational profile.
How does Missouri compare to Kansas?
Kansas (101.7) outranks Missouri (99.5). Kansas' more uniformly strong suburban school districts give it an edge, while Missouri has greater urban-rural disparity.
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.