From IQ To Graduation Rates: Ranking The Smartest States In The US

Education researchers at UTS Online have conducted a comprehensive study to identify the smartest states in the United States. This online university utilized a multifaceted approach, analyzing ten key factors to compile a definitive ranking. These factors include average IQ, high school and college graduation rates, SAT and ACT scores, NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) scores, literacy and numeracy rates, the share of state value added for arts and culture production (ACPSA), and the number of colleges per capita.

#3 Minnesota

High School Graduation Rate (2024) - 4
College Graduation Rate (2024) - 10
Average IQ - 4
SAT/ACT Scores (2023) - 27
NAEP - 5
Literacy Rate - 7
Numeracy Rate - 4
ACPSA - 13
No. Colleges - 22
Total Score - 78.39

#6 Montana

High School Graduation Rate (2024) - 1
College Graduation Rate (2024) - 18
Average IQ - 5
SAT/ACT Scores (2023) - 27
NAEP - 7
Literacy Rate - 4
Numeracy Rate - 7
ACPSA - 11
No. Colleges - 41
Total Score - 71.49

#8 North Dakota

High School Graduation Rate (2024) - 7
College Graduation Rate (2024) - 25
Average IQ - 3
SAT/ACT Scores (2023) - 20
NAEP - 5
Literacy Rate - 5
Numeracy Rate - 4
ACPSA - 21
No. Colleges - 45
Total Score - 70.32

#18 South Dakota

High School Graduation Rate (2024) - 11
College Graduation Rate (2024) - 30
Average IQ - 9
SAT/ACT Scores (2023) - 4
NAEP - 7
Literacy Rate - 8
Numearcy Rate - 12
ACPSA - 23
No. Colleges - 44
Total Score - 65.59

According to the study, Massachusetts takes the top spot as the smartest state in the US. This New England state consistently excels across various educational metrics, boasting high SAT and ACT scores, impressive high school and college graduation rates, and a significant number of higher education institutions relative to its population. Massachusetts' commitment to education and cultural enrichment is evident in its high ACPSA score, highlighting the state's investment in arts and culture as a vital component of intellectual development.

Here are the factors, along with their respective weights:

Average IQ: 15%
High School Graduation Rates 2024: 10%
College Graduation Rate 2024: 15%
SAT & ACT scores: 15%
NAEP:10%
Literacy Rate: 10%
Numeracy Rate: 10%
ACPSA: 5%
Colleges per Capita: 5%

This study by UTS Online not only highlights the educational strengths of these states but also emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded approach to education. By considering a diverse set of factors, the researchers provide a holistic view of what constitutes educational excellence. As a result, states like Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota serve as exemplary models for fostering intelligence and academic success across the nation.

Here is the complete breakdown of all 50 states:

Rank	State	High School Grad Rates 2024	College Grad Rate 2024	Average IQ	SAT and ACT score 2023	NAEP	Literacy Rate	Numeracy Rate	ACPSA	No. Colleges	Total Score
1	Massachusetts	17*	1	1	1	2	17	18	5*	29	81.63
2	New Hampshire	5	8	2	14	7*	1	1	12*	37	79.52
3	Minnesota	4	10	4	5	7*	4*	2	13*	22*	78.39
4	Vermont	3	6	3*	17	11*	3	4*	15*	42	75.60
5	Washington	13	11	12*	6	10*	11	11	1	4	73.97
6	Montana	1	18	5*	27	7*	4*	7	11*	41	71.49
7	Connecticut	19	5	7	9	9*	16	20	6	28*	70.74
8	North Dakota	7*	25*	3*	20	5*	5*	4*	21*	45	70.32
9	Colorado	12	2	15	24	9*	13	16	8	8	70.31
10	Wyoming	2	34*	10	19	1	6	6	16*	17	70.19
11	Wisconsin	9	24	8	10	6	9*	13	14*	9	70.11
12	Utah	8	14*	19	11	5*	7	5	11*	26	69.77
13	Maine	6	20*	5*	8	12*	5*	8	17	39	69.01
14	New Jersey	22	4	9*	12	7*	28	29	9	11	68.16
15	Iowa	10*	30*	6	16	5*	8*	9	22*	35	67.61
16	Nebraska	14	20*	11	21	3	12*	14	21*	25	66.86
17	Virginia	23	7	12*	3	9*	22	22	15*	18	66.41
18	South Dakota	11	30*	9*	4	7*	8*	12	23*	44	65.59
19	Kansas	15	16	9*	18	10*	15	17	21*	40	63.95
20	Pennsylvania	18	21	16	15	8*	20	23	11*	33	60.40
21	Maryland	21*	3	27	13	15*	24	30	16*	3	59.32
22	Oregon	17*	15	18	25	16*	14	15	12*	16	59.29
23	Alaska	7*	28*	31	35	18*	2	3	21*	2	57.22
24	Idaho	16*	33	17	38	9*	12*	19	19*	22*	56.76
25	Michigan	16*	28*	22	28	13*	18	21	14*	14	54.67
26	Illinois	24	12	26	32	8*	27*	28	10	24	54.64
27	Indiana	25	36	14	26	7*	21	26	23*	27	54.39
28	Ohio	20	32	13	44	8*	19	24	14*	36	53.78
29	Missouri	21*	29	20	22	13*	23	25	15*	34	53.12
30	Hawaii	10*	17	40	43	8*	10	10	12*	12	51.54
31	Rhode Island	26	13	28	34	11*	27*	27	11*	28*	51.23
32	New York	33*	9	21	7	17	39	38	3	30	50.89
33	North Carolina	28*	23	24	39	9*	30	34	13*	10	49.03
34	Delaware	21*	19	23	33	18*	26	32	26	15	48.42
35	Georgia	31*	22	34	37	10*	36	44	5*	7	42.43
36	Tennessee	30	34*	35	29	9*	31	37	7	31	41.22
37	Kentucky	33*	40	29	23*	11*	32	36	18*	23	41.07
38	Florida	28*	26	33*	49	4	37	39	12*	19	40.87
39	Arizona	31*	27	37	40	13*	35	35	14*	6	39.12
40	South Carolina	29	31	33*	45	11*	33	40	15*	20	38.03
41	Nevada	34*	39	38	42	15*	9*	43	4	1	37.34
42	California	39	14*	41	2	14*	43	42	2	13*	37.02
43	Texas	38	25*	25	46	7*	42	46	18*	5	36.84
44	Oklahoma	27	38	30	50	15*	25	31	23*	38	34.20
45	Arkansas	33*	42	36	31	16*	34	41	22*	43	29.61
46	Alabama	34*	37	39*	41	14*	38	45	20	13*	27.85
47	West Virginia	32	44	32	48	18*	29	33	25	46	26.52
48	Louisiana	36	41	42	36	15*	40	48	19*	32	20.59
49	Mississippi	37	43	43	30	11*	41	49	24	21	18.96
50	New Mexico	35	35	39*	47	19	44	47	16*	28*	17.74

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