Discover the Top 10 Smartest States in America, Ranked by Average I.Q.

Which are the smartest states in America? Which states rank the highest in terms of their average intelligence? And how can you even measure something like intelligence? One way that people attempt to evaluate the average intelligence of people in different states is by comparing the I.Q. scores of people in those states. This article uses recent data from a company that ranked all 50 U.S. states from highest average I.Q. to lowest average I.Q. to catch you up to speed on the top 10 smartest states in America according to their I.Q. scores. Is your state on the list? Read on to find out!

Criticisms of Intelligence Tests

With that in mind, I.Q. tests are one specific way of measuring “smartness” – and there are plenty of critics of this approach. These critics say that I.Q. tests may not be the best way to determine which are the smartest states in America. Here are a few of those criticisms.

Criticism of Intelligence Testing: How Do You Measure Smartness?

Some critics say that human intelligence is much too complex to be captured in a test. Others argue that I.Q. testing cannot accurately gauge a person’s ability to solve problems, since intelligence can include a range of emotional skills, social skills, and knowledge. This is the position of one significant critic of intelligence testing, Robert Sternberg, who says that using I.Q. tests to measure human cognitive abilities cannot capture the skills and knowledge that lead to productive outcomes. Since these tests do not provide insight into an individual person’s motivation, moral attitudes, and social influences that can impact a person’s success.

Criticism of Intelligence Testing: Cultural Biases

In addition to this, many critics of I.Q. tests say that the testing was initially developed by a specific group of people for use with another specific population. Ultimately, this means that I.Q. tests are racially and culturally biased and may not be designed in a way that can effectively capture the intelligence of diverse people. 

Criticism of Intelligence Testing: Social and Environmental Factors

Some of the harshest critics of intelligence testing argue that I.Q. tests perpetuate a flawed understanding of human potential. While some people may assume that I.Q. tests measure innate intelligence, a person’s true intelligence is shaped by both genetic and environmental factors. Not only is human development significantly impacted by a child’s home environment, parenting, and physical surroundings, but intelligence can also be shaped by the education and resources they have access to as they grow up.

About the Data

The company Wise Voter aggregated data and ranked the states in the U.S. according to the average I.Q. score, alongside other metrics such as the average SAT scores in the state, literacy rates, and numeracy rates. 

Of course, I.Q. tests measure just one type of intelligence. Thankfully, there is a growing recognition that there are many different ways to measure intelligence and many different types of intelligence that people can possess. If you find that your state did not score particularly highly, that does not necessarily signify anything – aside from that the people in your state who had access to an I.Q. test did not score well in that particular measure. 

Factors in I.Q. Testing

Even Wise Voter recognizes that between the highest and lowest-scoring states, the reasons for the variation in intelligence “can be attributed to various factors such as economic resources, educational opportunities, and socio-cultural influences between states.” Additionally, it is important to recognize that “access to healthcare may play a role in this phenomenon as healthy individuals tend to obtain higher scores on intelligence tests.”

It is also worth mentioning that people are shaped by other environmental and social factors, including their nutrition and quality of life. Even the air quality in your area can impact your cognitive functioning. Wise Voter also acknowledges that many studies suggest that people living in higher median-income states typically score higher on intelligence tests compared to people who come from areas affected by higher poverty rates. If you live in an area with a better educational system, you may also have access to a wider array of courses and challenging classes in school. 

Can I.Q. Tests Measure Intelligence Successfully?

Ultimately, when it comes to I.Q. tests and other measures of intelligence, there are always multiple factors at play. Take the results with a grain of salt and as indicators of a bigger picture and not the absolute truth by themselves.

With that said, let’s jump in to discover which states in the U.S. ranked the highest according to their residents’ I.Q. test results.

The Smartest States in America

The table below includes a list of the top ten smartest states in the U.S., ranked according to their average I.Q. score. According to I.Q. test results, the smartest states in the U.S. are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, Minnesota, Maine, Montana, Iowa, Connecticut, and Wisconsin.

At the top of the list is Massachusetts, which reported an average score of 104.3. That makes it the smartest state in the country. Next up is New Hampshire, which stole second place with an average I.Q. of 104.2. In third and fourth place are North Dakota and Vermont (in alphabetical order), which both had average I.Q.scores of 103.8. Minnesota is fifth, with an average I.Q. of 103.7. Maine and Montana, the sixth and seventh smartest states (also in alphabetical order), have an average I.Q. score of 103.4. Iowa has an average I.Q. of 103.2, giving it a ranking as the eighth smartest state. Connecticut ranks ninth with an average I.Q. score of 103.1. Rounding out our top ten list is Wisconsin, with an average I.Q. of 102.9.

Check out the chart below for an overview before learning a little bit more about each of the states on the list.

1. Massachusetts

First on the list is Massachusetts, which reported an average I.Q. score of 104.3. That makes it the smartest state in the country. 104.3 is nine points higher than the average score across the whole country. At least part of the reason for this bump is the fact that Massachusetts has some of the most famous top-tier universities in the state and a world-famous education system known for producing brilliant thinkers, creators, and world leaders. From Harvard University to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Massachusetts is home to some of the top universities in the world. They attract brilliant minds from around the world, including Nobel Prize winners, innovators, and researchers across a number of fields and disciplines.

In fact, Massachusetts has long had the highest percentage of people with at least a bachelor’s degree, if not other advanced degrees as well. Massachusetts has also invested in entrepreneurship, innovation, science, technology, medicine, engineering, and many other fields. This history of investment has driven the culture and economy of the state and attracted many skilled workers who participate in building a vibrant civic society and making important contributions. 

2. New Hampshire

Next on the list of smartest states in America is New Hampshire. This state stole second place with an average I.Q. of 104.2. People love New Hampshire for its incredible natural landscapes and beauty, high standard of living, and strong economy. Wise Voter attributes this ranking to the state’s long-term focus on good educational systems and intellectual pursuits. New Hampshire has one of the highest percentages of adults with a high school diploma of all states in the country and a high number of people with a college degree or better. Wise Voter also claims that “the state’s strong sense of community and commitment to environmental stewardship may foster a culture of curiosity and critical thinking.” On a practical level, New Hampshire’s proximity to many elite institutions of learning, including universities like Harvard and MIT, makes living in this beautiful New England state accessible to many Boston commuters. 

3. North Dakota

Third on the list due to alphabetical order, but tied with Vermont in score, is North Dakota. Both had average I.Q. scores of 103.8. North Dakota is one of the least populated states in the U.S. and one that gains the least tourism. North Dakota is an agricultural state that produces a high volume of honey, sunflowers, and crops like wheat. North Dakota has a small population. However, it still has an overall high level of educational attainment among its residents. Residents also have good access to quality healthcare. That is an important factor in health and development. Each of these factors could play a role in its ranking on list of the smartest states in the U.S.

4. Vermont

Fourth but tied with North Dakota is Vermont, with an average I.Q. score of 103.8. Vermont, while small, is still famous for its politically active communities, beautiful nature, and quality of life. With a high school graduation rate of 89%, the state’s educational attainment is significantly higher than the national average. Vermont cultivates a reputation for being friendly to artists, writers, and intellectual leaders. According to the Vermont Department of Education, a major strength of the state’s education system is the ability of local school districts to adapt in order to meet local students’ needs and desires. Vermont also has a good statewide community college system, as well as several important universities.

5. Minnesota

Minnesota is fifth on the list, with an average I.Q. of 103.7. This midwestern state in the middle-north of the country has a good educational system, a strong economy, and a very educated population. Overall, Minnesota residents achieve high levels of literacy and educational attainment. In fact, over 93% of residents have graduated from high school and 24.6% have achieved a bachelor’s degree. This could likely contribute to Minnesota’s ranking among the smartest states in America according to I.Q. scores.

6. Maine

Sixth on the list is Maine, which ties with Montana with an average I.Q. score of 103.4. This northern New England state is known for its forested land, rugged coastline, and quaint small towns. Maine has consistently prioritized education and invested financially in its school system. With a smaller population, Maine is also able to give students smaller class sizes with one-on-one support. Though Maine has recently received criticism and been the focus of studies showing that the public school system has room for improvement and may not deserve the accolades it has received in the past, the I.Q. rankings still show that Maine residents are scoring well. 

7. Montana

Montana, which is tied with Maine but comes after it alphabetically, is seventh, with an average I.Q. score of 103.4. This western state has a high percentage of residents with college degrees or even more advanced education, as well as leading research institutions such as the University of Montana. In addition to that, a few Montana cities, including the capital city of Helena, have very high educational attainment rates (in Helena, almost 30% of local adults have a Bachelor’s degree or higher) and low dropout rates. 

8. Iowa

Iowa has an average I.Q. of 103.2, making it rank as the eighth smartest state in the U.S. This midwestern state is known for its farming communities, community values, and civic engagement. For a long time, Iowa’s public education ranked among the best in the country. Though it has recently fallen in the rankings, Iowa still has the highest high school graduation rate in the country. 

9. Connecticut

Connecticut comes in ninth place with an average I.Q. score of 103.1. People who live in Connecticut enjoy a high standard of living, robust economy, and strong education system. Some of the wealthiest communities in the country are in Connecticut, which contribute to a robust public and private education system that benefits many of the state’s students. Access to wealth, healthcare, and cultural opportunities also reflect the state’s ability to foster students’ intellectual development and critical thinking ability. Furthermore, Connecticut public schools are often ranked among the best in the country – most recently, second out of all states in the nation. Connecticut students also have high standardized testing scores and good reading test scores, reflecting the state’s high achievements in education and its place on the list of smartest states in the U.S.

10. Wisconsin

Last on the list of top smartest states by I.Q. is Wisconsin, with an average I.Q. of 102.9. Not only is this state home to some of the premiere universities and research institutions in the world, but Wisconsin has some of the highest graduation rates in the U.S. According to some rankings, Wisconsin has the fourth-best school system in the U.S. (according to a WalletHub study). The state achieved this ranking based on school performance, funding, safety, class size, and the credentials of teachers. From its top-tier research universities, high-quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs, and investment in public education, Wisconsin prioritizes learning.

Summary of the 10 Smartest States in America by I.Q.

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