Average IQ for Business Administration Majors
Average IQ Range
105–115
IQ Classification
Average range
Overview
Business administration is a broad interdisciplinary major encompassing finance, marketing, operations, strategy, and organizational behavior. Cognitive demands vary significantly across concentrations: finance and analytics tracks require strong quantitative reasoning, while marketing and management emphasize verbal communication and strategic thinking. The major is one of the most popular in the United States and attracts a wide cognitive range. MBA programs at elite institutions are highly selective for cognitive ability, but undergraduate business programs have more varied admissions standards.
To understand what these IQ ranges mean, see our complete IQ score ranges guide. You can also check where specific scores fall: Is 110 IQ Good?
SAT & GRE Correlation
Business administration majors average GMAT scores of 530–570, with top MBA programs requiring 700+ (roughly 90th percentile). GRE scores for business majors average 153–157 on verbal and 153–157 on quantitative. The GMAT correlates moderately with IQ, particularly on the Integrated Reasoning and Quantitative sections. MBA admissions at elite programs select for top-quartile cognitive ability alongside leadership experience.
For more on how standardized test scores relate to IQ, see our SAT to IQ conversion guide and GRE to IQ conversion guide.
Top Programs
- Harvard Business School
- Wharton
- Stanford GSB
- MIT Sloan
Career Paths
- Manager
- Business Analyst
- Entrepreneur
- Management Consultant
Curious how these careers compare? See our full IQ by career chart.
How Does Business Administration Compare to Other Majors?
| Major | Average IQ Range |
|---|---|
| Business Administration | 105–115 |
| Economics | 120–130 |
| Finance | 112–122 |
| Accounting | 108–118 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average IQ of a business administration major?
Business administration majors are estimated to average IQ scores of 105–115. The field encompasses a wide range of specializations with varying cognitive demands. Finance and analytics concentrations attract higher-scoring students, while general management tracks have more varied cognitive profiles. MBA programs at top schools select for significantly higher cognitive ability.
Is business administration a difficult major?
Business administration varies significantly in difficulty by institution and concentration. Finance and accounting concentrations are quantitatively demanding. General management tracks are more accessible. At elite programs like Wharton or Booth, the curriculum is highly rigorous. At most state universities, undergraduate business is considered moderate in difficulty.
What is the average GMAT score for MBA admissions?
Average GMAT scores at top MBA programs (Harvard, Wharton, Stanford) typically range from 720–740, placing admitted students in approximately the 94th–96th percentile. Mid-tier programs average 600–680. The GMAT correlates moderately with IQ, particularly on quantitative and integrated reasoning sections, and admissions committees use it to screen for cognitive readiness for graduate-level coursework.
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Learn more about what IQ measures, or take our free IQ test to see where you stand.
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.