A person’s IQ score is one of the best indicators of his or her intelligence. But could it also correlate with his orher academic decisions after high school? According to 2014 data from the Education Testing Service, IQ scores do have some correlation withSAT scores and people’s intended college majors and highest IQ degrees. Keep in mind that the correlation doesn’t necessarily mean that students who choose other majors have lesser intelligence. That said, which majors correspond with the highest IQ scores of its students? Take a look at the top five college majors of highly intelligent people:
1. Physics and astronomy
Physics is a field dominated by such notable geniuses as Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking and Isaac Newton, so it’s no wonder that it should be the chosen major of some very intelligent students. The average IQ of physics and astronomy students is 133 (remember that scores between 120 and 140 indicate very high intelligence).
2. Mathematical sciences
Mathematical sciences is the chosen academic and career path of some of the people with the highest IQs ever recorded. That includes child prodigies Terence Tao (whose IQ is between 225 and 300) and William James Sidis (who’s said to be the most intelligent man in history, with an estimated IQ nearing 300). Mathematical science majors are among the most intelligent degrees and have an average IQ of 130.
3. Philosophy
Philosophy is sometimes thought of as a soft major, but according to the data from the ETS, it’s actually a hub of incredibly intelligent students. Like physics,the field of philosophy is full of some of the most notable geniuses in history, including Socrates, Aristotle, Immanuel Kant and more. Philosophy majors have a mean IQ score of 129, just one point behind mathematical sciences majors.
4. Engineering
Engineering contains many subfields, including materials, mechanical, chemical and electrical engineering, among several others. The engineering major that holds the highest average IQ of its students is materials engineering, with a mean score of 129. Several other engineering fields are among the smartest college majors and have an average student IQ score just one point below at 128.
5. Economics
Rounding out the top five majors of highly intelligent students is economics, a field known for its incredible complexity. Like some engineering fields, the average IQ of economics students is 128.
Some college majors with lower average IQ scores include social work, early childhood and home economics. Remember that these scores are an average, though, and don’t represent individual students’ IQ scores.
FAQs
In 2017, Education Testing Service "experts" estimated that physics (133), math (130), philosophy (129) and materials science (129) majors have the highest IQs. (I assume they're extrapolating from SAT scores.) I was an English major (120).
What field of study has the highest IQ? ›
Physics, Mathematics, Economics, Philosophy and engineering are on top of the list. Unfortunately Education, Social Work, Psychology are at the bottom.
What is the smartest college major? ›
Anyway, Physics, Philosophy, and Math are some of the highest IQ majors. Engineering, Computer Science, Religion & Theory, English, and Humanities & Arts are pretty high. The lowest seem to be everything related to fields of "service" such as Social Work, Education, Counseling, and Childhood Development.
Which college has the highest IQ? ›
- Williams College. 95.6.
- Harvey Mudd College. 94.4.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 94.0.
- Stanford University. 93.1.
- University of Chicago. 92.7.
- Princeton University. 92.4.
- Yale University. 91.4.
- Swarthmore College. 91.0.
A score of 116 or more is considered above average. A score of 130 or higher signals a high IQ. Membership in Mensa, the High IQ society, includes people who score in the top 2 percent, which is usually 132 or higher. Keep reading as we explore more about high IQ, what it means, and what it doesn't mean.
What was Einstein's IQ? ›
What was the IQ of Albert Einstein? Sources usually put his IQ at 160.
What is Elon Musk's IQ? ›
Let's first answer the critical question — Elon Musk's IQ is around 155. For context, it is believed that Albert Einstein had an IQ between 160 to 165. As such, Elon is way more brilliant than the average person.
What is the average IQ at Harvard? ›
While true, the estimated average IQ at Harvard is 142. IQ is highly associated with self-control and discipline. > IQ is highly associated with self-control and discipline.
What is the average IQ of a PhD? ›
According to some sources, the average IQ score for people with PhDs is around 125, which is considered superior. However, this does not mean that people with lower or higher IQs cannot obtain a PhD, as IQ is only one of many factors that influence academic success.
What major makes you smart? ›
And again, the traditional science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields such as engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics/statistics tended to be at the top.
What are the most difficult university degrees in the world?
- Chartered Accountancy.
- Astrophysics.
- Quantum Mechanics.
- Law.
- Aerospace/ Aeronautical Studies, Engineering.
- Biomedical Studies, Neurosciences, Biochemistry.
- Nursing.
- Dentistry, Medicine.
A recent study published in the American Educational Research Journal found that engineering and computer science majors provide the highest returns in lifetime earnings, followed by business, health, and math and science majors.
What classes are high IQ? ›
85 to 114: Average intelligence. 115 to 129: Above average or bright. 130 to 144: Moderately gifted. 145 to 159: Highly gifted.
What is the average IQ of teachers? ›
School Teachers have an average IQ range of 110-120.
The statistic suggests that on average, school teachers have a range of intelligence quotient (IQ) scores between 110 and 120.
Where do the most intelligent people live in the US? ›
Massachusetts is the smartest state, with an average IQ of 104.3, making it 9 points higher than the national average. This is largely attributed to its world-renowned education system, which is renowned for producing some of the most intelligent minds in the country.
Where does an IQ of 145 rank? ›
Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale Fifth Edition
| IQ Range ("deviation IQ") | IQ Classification |
|---|
| 140+ | Very gifted or highly advanced |
| 130–140 | Gifted or very advanced |
| 120–129 | Superior |
| 110–119 | High average |
5 more rowsThe intelligence quotient or IQ is a standardized method to know the mental ability of a person, usually against a peer group. IQ scores between 90 and 109 indicate a normal range or average intelligence. Individual adults usually score somewhere in between the 70-130 range, with 100 being the theoretical average.
Where does an IQ of 128 rank? ›
85 to 114: Average intelligence. 115 to 129: Above average or bright. 130 to 144: Moderately gifted. 145 to 159: Highly gifted.
What is the average IQ of people with college degrees? ›
College students once stood out from the pack on IQ tests. Today, they're about average. A recent meta-analysis found that undergraduates' IQs have steadily fallen from roughly 119 in 1939 to a mean of 102 in 2022, just slightly above the population average of 100.
