There are many measures through which states can be put up against each other, whether it's natural beauty or the best night out. This article highlights the 18 smartest states, according to metrics such as average grades, university degrees, and IQ scores. Do you think you live in one of the USA's brainiest areas? Read on to find out.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to two of the highest ranked universities in the world, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), making it a particularly academic setting. Indeed, a very high percentage of people who live in the state hold bachelors degrees and a culture of high education is very prominent there.
Connecticut
With above average IQ scores among the population, Connecticut is home to the prestigious Yale University as well as a collection of highly regarded private schools. The state also demonstrates a high level of educational attainment in exams, leading to strong outcomes in careers and the attainment of graduate degrees.
Maryland
Another state with a high proportion of university-educated adults, Maryland also hosts the famous John Hopkins University, among other respected research institutions. It has one of the highest median incomes in the country, owing to the levels of education in the region. A culture of the importance of education is cultured in the state, leaving young people with high academic and career aspirations.
New Jersey
New Jersey has a strong culture of science, maths and technology education. Within touching distance of New York, its residents also benefit from close proximity to high quality educational and research institutions, with much of the population holding bachelors degrees or higher qualifications.
Virginia
The University of Virginia and Virginia Tech are hugely successful universities, producing top quality graduates who go on to shape excellent careers and often teach the next generation of locals. At the school level, there is a great range of public schools and rates of graduation from school are higher than other states in the US.
Vermont
Vermont benefits from a progressive take on educational policy, with a strong emphasis on personalized teaching within the strong public school system. High school graduates, of which there are a proportionally very large number, go on to university education in their droves, performing well in standardized examinations and developing successful careers.
New York
Home to Cornell, NYU and Columbia University, New York benefits from its powerful and prestigious educational institutions. As a large and diverse population, multiple different influences converge in the state to provide a dynamic educational environment, creating a hub of culture and technology. Many of the US' brightest young minds flock to New York to nurture their education and future career goals.
Colorado
Colorado has a vibrant technology scene, with a population that consistently perform well in standardized testing and university education rates. Proximity to nature allows for a great emphasis on outdoor education and environmental sciences, making them leaders in this growing area of research and development.
New Hampshire
Another area with innovative educational ideas and methods, New Hampshire is not afraid to reform their school system for the benefit of the population. Indeed, the people of New Hampshire are more involved in shaping their education infrastructure than other states, leading to high levels of attainment at school and university.
Minnesota
Minnesota stands out for its research and educational prowess in the medical and health fields, home to a number of universities such as the University of Minnesota. The public school system in the state produces exemplary graduation rates, with a strong number going on to achieve academic degrees.
California
Universities such as Stanford, Caltech and UC Berkely reside in California, making it a leading state for higher education and academic research. Silicon Valley is a famous hub of technological innovation, attracting some of the nations brightest minds in this space, while the wider population demonstrate high levels of educational attainment.
Washington
Another dynamic tech hub, Washington hosts some of the world's largest and most formidable companies such as Microsoft and Amazon. The public education system is strong in the state, with impressive average test scores, and its proximity to tech innovation places a great emphasis on innovation in this growing area.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island is bordered by states that house many of the nations best universities, benefitting its population by proximity to high level educational institutions. It demonstrates particular strengths in humanities and arts education, with emphasis on personalized teaching and developing fresh methods in the public school system.
Utah
Another state with a demonstrably effective public school system, Utah performs well in its standardized test scores at high school level, and is home to swathes of highly educated families. The area is particularly strong on science, technology and maths, with a big educational infrastructure on engineering careers.
Illinois
The University of Chicago and Northwestern are two universities that demonstrate the educational prowess of Illinois, a state that boasts strong results across standardized testing in the public schools. Residents are generally highly education, and the region is known for its research in the fields of engineering and health.
Oregon
Portland, a city within the state of Oregon, is one of the nation's fastest developing tech hubs, providing excellent educational opportunities for its residents in a field that is only growing worldwide. It also demonstrates high rates of high school graduation, along with a large proportion of the population holding bachelors degrees.
Wisconsin
Another state with impressive scores across examinations in Wisconsin. With universities such as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it is a trailblazing state in areas of engineering and agriculture. A large proportion of the population graduate from high school, compared to many of its counterparts in the US.
Michigan
Michigan is home to the prestigious University of Michigan and Michigan State University, fostering a strong culture of the importance of higher education. Indeed, the public school system has a reputation for emphasising preparation for university and academic careers, leading to highly educated residents who contribute particularly to the US' car and manufacturing industries.
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