Which States Have the Highest Average IQ? 🧠

What We’re Showing

This graphic shows the average IQ for the 50 U.S. states, based on data from a 2022 report by Pesta, Bryan J. “Updated IQ and Well-Being Scores for the 50 U.S. States”.

Methodology

IQ estimates are based on analysis of exam scores from the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competency (PIAAC) for adults, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for fourth and eighth grade children.

The PIAAC is a large-scale international study of key cognitive and workplace skills of adults.

The NAEP is the largest nationally representative assessment of student capabilities in public and private schools in the U.S.

Key Takeaways

• The average IQ across states ranges between 94.2 and 104.3 (considered “average” by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale)
• The top 3 states by average IQ are Massachusetts (104.3), New Hampshire (104.2), and North Dakota (103.8)