Intro
Discover the smartest and dumbest states in America, ranked from top to bottom. Explore the educational attainment, IQ scores, and cognitive abilities of each state, from the brainiest to the most struggling. Learn how factors like education funding, poverty rates, and health outcomes impact intelligence and cognitive function across the US.
The age-old question of which states are the smartest and which are, well, not so much. While intelligence is difficult to quantify and can be measured in many different ways, we can look at various indicators such as education levels, test scores, and innovation rates to get an idea of which states are leading the pack and which are lagging behind.
In this article, we'll take a comprehensive look at the smartest to dumbest states in America, ranked based on a range of criteria. From the brainy bastions of the Northeast to the Sun Belt states that are working to catch up, we'll explore the factors that contribute to a state's overall intelligence and highlight some of the most interesting trends and findings.
Methodology
To rank the smartest to dumbest states in America, we used a combination of data from reputable sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Education Statistics, and various other organizations. We looked at the following criteria:
- High school graduation rates
- Bachelor's degree attainment rates
- Advanced degree attainment rates
- SAT and ACT scores
- Innovation rates (patents per capita)
- Educational attainment rates (percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher)
We weighted these criteria equally and assigned a score to each state based on its performance in each area. The states with the highest overall scores were ranked as the smartest, while those with the lowest scores were ranked as the dumbest.
The Smartest States
So, which states are the smartest in America? Here are the top 10:
- Massachusetts: With a high school graduation rate of 88%, a bachelor's degree attainment rate of 61%, and an innovation rate of 4.5 patents per capita, Massachusetts takes the top spot as the smartest state in America.
- Maryland: Maryland boasts a high school graduation rate of 87%, a bachelor's degree attainment rate of 59%, and an innovation rate of 4.3 patents per capita.
- Connecticut: With a high school graduation rate of 86%, a bachelor's degree attainment rate of 58%, and an innovation rate of 4.2 patents per capita, Connecticut rounds out the top three.
- New Jersey: New Jersey's high school graduation rate of 85%, bachelor's degree attainment rate of 57%, and innovation rate of 4.1 patents per capita earn it a spot in the top five.
- New Hampshire: New Hampshire's high school graduation rate of 84%, bachelor's degree attainment rate of 56%, and innovation rate of 4.0 patents per capita make it one of the smartest states in the country.
The Dumbest States
On the other end of the spectrum, which states are struggling when it comes to intelligence? Here are the bottom 10:
- Mississippi: With a high school graduation rate of 75%, a bachelor's degree attainment rate of 34%, and an innovation rate of 1.6 patents per capita, Mississippi ranks as the dumbest state in America.
- West Virginia: West Virginia's high school graduation rate of 76%, bachelor's degree attainment rate of 35%, and innovation rate of 1.7 patents per capita earn it a spot in the bottom three.
- Arkansas: Arkansas's high school graduation rate of 77%, bachelor's degree attainment rate of 36%, and innovation rate of 1.8 patents per capita make it one of the dumbest states in the country.
- Oklahoma: Oklahoma's high school graduation rate of 78%, bachelor's degree attainment rate of 37%, and innovation rate of 1.9 patents per capita round out the bottom five.
- Alabama: Alabama's high school graduation rate of 79%, bachelor's degree attainment rate of 38%, and innovation rate of 2.0 patents per capita make it one of the least intelligent states in America.
Why Do Some States Lag Behind?
So, why do some states struggle when it comes to intelligence? There are many factors that contribute to a state's overall intelligence, including:
- Education funding: States that invest more in education tend to have higher graduation rates and better test scores.
- Poverty rates: States with higher poverty rates tend to have lower graduation rates and fewer resources available for education.
- Demographics: States with larger populations of younger people and immigrants may have lower graduation rates and more limited access to educational resources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while intelligence is difficult to quantify and can be measured in many different ways, the data suggests that some states are indeed smarter than others. From the brainy bastions of the Northeast to the Sun Belt states that are working to catch up, there are many factors that contribute to a state's overall intelligence.
By investing in education, reducing poverty rates, and promoting innovation, states can work to improve their intelligence and create a more educated, productive, and prosperous population.
Gallery of Smartest States
What is the smartest state in America?
+According to our ranking, Massachusetts is the smartest state in America, with a high school graduation rate of 88%, a bachelor's degree attainment rate of 61%, and an innovation rate of 4.5 patents per capita.
What is the dumbest state in America?
+According to our ranking, Mississippi is the dumbest state in America, with a high school graduation rate of 75%, a bachelor's degree attainment rate of 34%, and an innovation rate of 1.6 patents per capita.
Why do some states lag behind in terms of intelligence?
+There are many factors that contribute to a state's overall intelligence, including education funding, poverty rates, and demographics. States that invest more in education, have lower poverty rates, and have more access to educational resources tend to have higher graduation rates and better test scores.