The United States, a diverse and vast nation, boasts a wide range of education systems and intellectual achievements. However, when it comes to educational performance and the general intellectual climate, some states appear to be struggling more than others. The ranking of the “dumbest” states is often determined by a mix of factors, including literacy rates, educational attainment, standardized test scores, and even health and economic variables that can impact cognitive development.
Here, we examine the 10 states that have earned a place on this list for 2025 based on these factors. These states, while certainly not lacking in potential, face significant challenges when it comes to education and the overall intellectual environment.
1. California
Despite being home to Silicon Valley and some of the world’s top universities, California struggles with significant disparities in education quality. The state’s public school system faces overcrowding and inadequate funding in many areas, and it ranks low for educational attainment and high school graduation rates. When compared to other states, California’s public education system has room for substantial improvement, which impacts the state’s overall intellectual ranking.
2. Mississippi
Mississippi has long faced issues with educational underperformance. The state ranks low in key academic measures, such as reading and math scores, and struggles with high school graduation rates. This is compounded by high poverty rates, which can contribute to poorer educational outcomes. Mississippi consistently falls at the bottom of many national education rankings.
3. Louisiana
Louisiana ranks poorly in terms of education quality and intellectual outcomes. Test scores in math and reading tend to be lower than the national average, and the state has struggled with educational inequality. The system’s reliance on standardized testing often highlights the gaps in learning and academic preparedness, with many schools underperforming relative to the rest of the country.
4. West Virginia

West Virginia faces significant educational challenges, including low literacy rates and low high school graduation rates. The state ranks poorly on standardized tests and has difficulty attracting and retaining top teaching talent. With a struggling economy and declining rural population, the state finds it difficult to invest in the necessary resources to improve education across the board.
5. Alabama
Alabama’s public schools struggle with funding issues and lower-than-average academic performance. The state ranks poorly for both reading and math proficiency on national tests. The educational attainment rate is also lower compared to other states, contributing to Alabama’s place on this list. While recent efforts have been made to improve, the challenges remain significant.
6. Arkansas
While Arkansas has made strides in education, it still faces many hurdles. The state ranks low in terms of high school graduation rates and educational attainment. Educational quality varies widely from district to district, and many rural areas lack the resources needed to provide a quality education. This inconsistency is reflected in the state’s below-average academic performance.
7. Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks poorly in terms of public education quality and college graduation rates. The state has consistently struggled with budget cuts in education, which have resulted in large class sizes and underfunded schools. Additionally, standardized test scores for Oklahoma students often fall below the national average, particularly in subjects like math and reading.
8. New Mexico
New Mexico has one of the highest high school dropout rates in the country and a lower-than-average rate of adults with bachelor’s degrees. While the state has made efforts to improve its education system, it continues to face issues such as underfunded schools and challenges in rural education. As a result, academic achievement is generally low across many sectors of the population.
9. Nevada
Nevada’s education system faces significant challenges, with poor rankings in key metrics like high school graduation rates and college enrollment. Test scores often place Nevada near the bottom of national rankings, and the state’s educational system struggles to address disparities across its diverse population. While efforts are being made to reform, the impact is slow to materialize.
10. Tennessee
Tennessee has made strides in improving education but still faces challenges in literacy and standardized testing scores. The state’s rural areas, in particular, struggle with underfunded schools and lower levels of educational attainment. While there are initiatives in place to improve education, Tennessee continues to rank poorly in national assessments, particularly when compared to more affluent states.
Conclusion:
The states that make up this list are not without hope; each one has the potential for growth and improvement. Education reform, better funding, and increased access to resources are key to addressing the issues that hinder academic progress in these states. As we move into 2024, it’s important to remember that these rankings are not permanent — with the right policies and investments, any state can improve its educational outcomes and overall intellectual climate.