The Brainiest States: How Did North Dakota Score?

If you’ve ever wondered where your state stacks up in the great intelligence showdown, there’s now a semi-scientific way to compare! By evaluating IQ scores, SAT and ACT results, and the percentage of college graduates, states across the country have been ranked to see who’s flexing the most mental muscle. And guess what? Our region has a lot to brag about.

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Before we dive into the numbers, let’s set the ground rules. An “intelligence score” was calculated by looking at how each state performed compared to the national median. Scores above the median are positives—like acing a pop quiz—while scores below are, well, room for improvement. IQ scores got extra weight because, hey, double the brainpower deserves double the points.

Now for the fun part: Who’s wearing the smarty pants in our neighborhood?

The Results Are In!

According to the data from World Population Review, North Dakota is leading the regional brain parade with an average IQ of 103.8. That’s not just above the national median—that’s prairie brilliance in action. Call it fresh air, hard work, or just good old-fashioned smarts, but North Dakotans have reason to hold their heads high.

Next up, we’ve got Minnesota coming in hot with an average IQ of 103.7. So close to North Dakota you’d need a microscope to see the difference! Minnesotans may be proud of their lakes, but it seems their brains deserve equal admiration.

Rounding out the top three in our region is Montana with an IQ score of 103.4. Big sky, big brains—not too shabby.

And let’s not forget South Dakota, holding its own with a respectable average IQ of 102.8. While they might trail slightly behind their neighbors, South Dakotans can still outsmart most folks in a spelling bee.

Intelligence Isn’t Everything

Before you start holding a victory parade or teasing friends across state lines, let’s remember: intelligence rankings are just one measure of a state’s success. Factors like access to education, economic resources, and even geography play a role in shaping these scores. Sometimes, the smartest minds come from the most unexpected places.

So, hats off to North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and South Dakota for putting the “smart” in the Upper Midwest. Whether it’s solving math equations or knowing when to bring in the cattle before a storm, there’s no question this region has its share of brainpower—and maybe a little extra grit, too.