In third is Wyoming boasting even higher average SAT scores than Minnesota, with 1244. Wyoming also has a high graduation rate of 93.59%, and higher levels of education are generally associated with those who aim to have higher-skilled jobs and, therefore earn more, which may explain why the GDP per capita in Wyoming is one of the highest in America at $71,342. Wyoming was ranked with an index score of 54.98.

Vermont has the lowest percentage of its population that doesn’t have a high school diploma or GED (5.5%), which could contribute to the higher average IQ of 102.2. Vermont also has good literacy levels, with only 12.8% of the population deemed to have low literacy, ranking fourth with an index score of 54.91.

Montana ranks as the fifth smartest state in America with an index score of 54.64. Montana is another high-achieving state for SATs, with an average score of 1206. On top of that only 5.6% of the population don’t have a high school diploma or GED. 

Bottom 5

According to the study, New Mexico is the least intelligent state in America. The state has the lowest average IQ (95) and the highest % of the population that has low levels of literacy (29.1%).

Texas also ranks as one of the least intelligent states. Texas has one of the lowest graduation rates with 85.39%. The state also has one of the highest % of the population that doesn’t have a high school diploma or GED (14.6%).

Mississippi is in the bottom three for the least smartest states in America. The average IQ is only just above New Mexico at 95.8. Mississippi much like the two states above also has a high % of the population with low literacy (28%).

West Virginia is fourth on this list. This state has the lowest average SAT scores with 938. Graduation rates are also lower than the national average with only 88.82% of students graduating. 11% of the population also doesn’t have a high school diploma or GED.

Research shows that Louisiana is the fifth least intelligent state with an average IQ of 95.2 this is the second lowest behind New Mexico. Louisiana also has a high % of the population with low literacy (27.1%) and a lower-than-average graduation rate (86.68%).

Ranking of the top 15 smartest states in America:

Ranking of the bottom 15 states: 

Krishna Rungta, Founder & CEO of Guru99.com commented:

“Education in the United States is the cornerstone of individual empowerment and societal progress. It is a dynamic force that not only imparts knowledge but shapes character, cultivates critical thinking, and ignites the flames of curiosity.  

“America is home to many of the greatest educational institutions across the globe; as one of the world’s largest economies and powerhouses in industry and innovation, it’s pivotal that every generation continues to learn and develop, to progress the foundations that have already been built in the country. 

“Smartness is easy to quantify, however, this does not attest to the spectrum of talents and skills that every person is capable of learning across a broad range of topics. Even after college, the internet has opened up a vast array of opportunities for growth and development that could progress careers further, or enable people to learn new skills and discover new passions.”