Average IQ in Rhode Island: Estimates & Context
Estimated Avg IQ
~101
US Ranking
#17
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 Rhode Island's IQ Ranking
Rhode Island benefits from its New England education tradition and the presence of Brown University, RISD, and other colleges in a very small geographic area. The state has more colleges per square mile than any other. Providence's growing knowledge economy and healthcare sector attract educated workers, though some communities face poverty and educational challenges.
What Shapes Rhode Island's Cognitive Profile
A 2019 Johns Hopkins review of Providence schools described conditions so dysfunctional that the state seized control of the district, an intervention still running and still contested, which crystallized why Rhode Island trails its New England neighbors on NAEP despite the shared regional education culture. The University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography in Narragansett ranks among the leading ocean research institutions, and the state has bet on a blue economy of undersea technology, submarine work at Electric Boat's Quonset Point operations, and offshore wind staging. Brown's medical school and the Lifespan hospital network make health care the largest employment sector. CVS Health, headquartered in Woonsocket, stands among the biggest corporations based in any small state. Providence's design and creative economy, seeded by RISD graduates who stay after graduation, gives the city an unusual occupational texture. Outcomes split sharply between suburbs like Barrington and the urban core. The estimated average lands just above the national mean.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
Rhode Island vs Other Northeast States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | ~101 | #17 |
| Massachusetts | ~104 | #1 |
| New Hampshire | ~104 | #2 |
| Vermont | ~104 | #3 |
| Connecticut | ~103 | #4 |
| Maine | ~103 | #6 |
| New Jersey | ~103 | #8 |
| New York | ~101 | #18 |
| Pennsylvania | ~101 | #20 |
| Delaware | ~100 | #24 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's estimated average IQ is 101.0, ranking #17. The density of colleges and New England education culture produce above-average outcomes despite the state's small size.
How does college density affect Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has more colleges per capita than any other state. Brown University, RISD, URI, and others create a highly educated local workforce and a culture that values higher education.
How does Rhode Island compare to other New England states?
Rhode Island (101.0) ranks below Massachusetts (104.3), New Hampshire (104.2), and Vermont (103.8) but above the national average. It's the lowest-ranked New England state but still performs well.
Explore Other States
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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.