New York finds itself at number 26 on the list of the most intelligent states in the United States, according to a new ranking by Data Pandas, a data analytics company. The Empire State has an average intelligence quotient (IQ) score of 100.7, placing it in the top 30 of the smartest states in the country. This score is slightly higher than the national average IQ score of 98.
The rankings were conducted by Data Pandas, which curates and analyzes a wide range of public data sources. These include average IQ tests, mean SAT and ACT scores, and the percentage of the population with advanced degrees. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intellectual landscape across the United States.
Massachusetts tops the list
Leading the pack as the most intelligent state in the nation is Massachusetts, home to prestigious Ivy League schools Harvard and MIT. The Bay State boasts an average IQ of 104.3 and is renowned for having the highest average ACT score of 26 in the United States. Additionally, Massachusetts has the highest percentage of people with advanced degrees and the second-highest percentage of bachelor’s degree holders in the country.
New Hampshire follows closely
New Hampshire, home to Dartmouth College, another Ivy League institution, ranks just behind Massachusetts with an average IQ score of 104.2. This underscores the state’s strong educational framework and intellectual resources.
The lower end of the spectrum
At the bottom of the list is Mississippi, which has the lowest average IQ score in the nation at 94.2. The state also has the highest poverty rate, at 19.6 percent. Following closely is Louisiana, with an average IQ score of 95.3 and a poverty rate of 18.7 percent.
Socio-economic factors at play
“This ranking may reflect socio-economic factors that affect residents’ access to quality education, a significant aspect contributing to IQ levels,” the report from Data Pandas stated.
While New York’s ranking may come as a surprise to some, the data highlights the complex interplay between education, socio-economic factors, and intellectual outcomes across the United States.
View the full list here.