Average IQ in West Virginia
Average IQ
95.5
US Ranking
#44
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 West Virginia's IQ Ranking
West Virginia faces compounding challenges: it is the only state entirely within Appalachia, has the lowest college degree attainment in the nation, an aging population, and an economy historically dependent on declining coal industry. Brain drain — educated young people leaving for opportunities elsewhere — exacerbates the challenge. However, the state has committed to improving broadband access and remote work infrastructure.
What Shapes West Virginia's Cognitive Profile
West Virginia University's 2023 decision to cut dozens of degree programs, including all foreign languages, drew national attention as a warning of what enrollment decline does to a state's flagship. The Ascend WV program pays remote workers $12,000 to relocate to towns like Morgantown and Lewisburg, a direct attempt to import the educated residents the economy stopped producing at home. The opioid epidemic hit harder here than anywhere else, and schools now manage one of the country's highest rates of children living in grandparent or kinship care, with documented effects on attendance and achievement. The Hope Scholarship voucher program, among the broadest in the nation, is shifting students out of rural public schools that can least afford the enrollment loss. Green Bank's radio astronomy observatory sustains a small, distinctive scientific community in Pocahontas County. NAEP math results rank at or near the bottom of all states. The estimated average reflects an economy still searching for its replacement industry.
For global context, see how the US compares in our United States IQ page and the full country rankings.
West Virginia vs Other South States
| State | Average IQ | US Rank |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 95.5 | #44 |
| Virginia | 101.9 | #9 |
| Maryland | 102.3 | #12 |
| 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 |
| Louisiana | 95.3 | #45 |
| Arkansas | 95 | #46 |
| Mississippi | 94.2 | #50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ in West Virginia?
West Virginia's estimated average IQ is 95.5, ranking #44. The state faces unique challenges including Appalachian poverty, low college attainment, and population decline.
Why does West Virginia score so low?
West Virginia's challenges are primarily economic — coal industry decline, limited economic diversification, brain drain of educated young people, and high poverty rates. These socioeconomic factors directly impact educational outcomes.
Is West Virginia's education improving?
The state is making efforts through broadband expansion, remote work attraction strategies, and education investment. However, population decline and economic challenges make improvement slower than in states with growing metro areas.
Explore Other States
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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.