Average IQ by Major: Which College Majors Score Highest?

6 min read · IQ Tester

Average IQ by major isn't measured directly. Every viral chart estimates it from SAT or GRE scores by intended major, and on those, physics, math, philosophy, economics and engineering usually rank highest. The gaps between majors are real but smaller than the charts make them look, and every major has a huge range of people in it.

If you're picking a major and wondering whether your brain is more "numbers," "words" or "logic," IQ Tester shows your reasoning strengths across four categories: Find my weak spots.

Average IQ by major: the ranking

Here's the rough ranking you'll see across most datasets. We're showing tiers instead of fake-precise IQ numbers, because the underlying data is test scores, not IQ tests.

Tier 1: usually top of the chart

• Physics and astronomy
• Mathematics and statistics
• Philosophy (tops the verbal side)
• Economics
• Engineering (especially electrical, chemical and aerospace)

Tier 2: above average

• Computer science
• Chemistry
• History, English and political science (strong verbal)
• Biology and pre-med

Tier 3: mid-pack

• Business
• Psychology
• Communications
• Nursing and health sciences

Tier 4: usually lower on these charts

• Education
• Social work
• Some arts and applied fields

Big caveat before anyone screenshots this for the group chat: tiers describe averages of test-takers, not individuals. The smartest person you know might be an education major. Truly.

Where these numbers come from

Every "iq average by major graph" you've seen traces back to one of these:

1. GRE scores by intended major

ETS, which runs the GRE, publishes average scores by intended graduate field. Hobbyists take those averages and convert them to IQ estimates. Physics and math applicants top the quant section; philosophy and English applicants top verbal.

2. SAT scores by intended major

The College Board has published SAT averages by intended college major in its reports. Same idea: take the average, convert, rank.

3. The viral blog chart

A widely shared chart by data scientist Randal Olson (around 2014) turned SAT and GRE averages by major into estimated IQs. Many Reddit threads and articles about "median iq by major" are still reposting some version of it.

What's wrong with this approach

• Intended major ≠ actual major. Lots of people switch.
• GRE takers are a select group. Only people applying to grad school take it, and which students apply varies by field.
• Test-score to IQ conversions are rough. See our guides on SAT score to IQ conversion and GRE to IQ conversion for why.
• Averages hide spreads. The range inside one major is way bigger than the gap between majors.

This is where people get stuck: charts tell you about strangers' averages, but not whether your strengths fit physics or philosophy. IQ Tester shows you which of number series, verbal analogy, logic and pattern you're strongest at, so you can match a major to how you actually think. Find my weak spots

Top majors: physics, maths, philosophy, engineering

Why do these keep landing at the top of the "highest average iq major" lists?

Average IQ of physics majors

Physics mixes heavy math with abstract thinking about things you can't see. It filters hard: students who struggle often switch out early, so the ones left are strong in quantitative reasoning.

Math and stats

Math majors crush the quant sections. It's no surprise, since the GRE and SAT math sections are close to their daily work.

Philosophy

Philosophy is the plot twist. It usually ranks at or near the top for verbal and analytical writing. Arguing about logic and meaning for four years is basically LSAT practice, which is also why philosophy majors are known for doing well on it (see LSAT to IQ).

Engineering

Engineering students typically score high on quant and solid on verbal. The discipline is demanding, and the workload filters people too. For job-level numbers, see average IQ of engineers.

Average IQ of CS majors

Computer science sits high but a little below physics and math on most charts. CS attracts a wider mix of students now than a decade ago, which pulls the average toward the middle while the top stays very strong.

Does your major change your IQ?

Mostly this is selection, not transformation. People who are already strong at numbers pick math; people who love arguing pick philosophy.

That said, education does seem to help reasoning a bit. Research has found that extra years of schooling are linked to modest IQ gains on average. So studying anything demanding can sharpen you. But no one becomes a genius by switching their major from business to physics.

Better questions to ask yourself:

• Do I enjoy this kind of problem at 11 p.m. before a deadline?
• Which classes made time disappear?
• Do I like building things, arguing ideas, analyzing data or helping people?

UK degree subjects vs US majors

UK readers: you pick a degree subject from day one, rather than a US-style major you declare later. And there's no big public dataset of average IQ by degree in the UK.

The closest proxies people use for "average iq by degree uk":

• Entry requirements. Subjects like maths, physics, medicine and economics at top universities often ask for A*AA or higher at A-level.
• Admissions tests. Some courses use their own tests (for example, for maths at certain universities or for medicine), but none of these publish IQ equivalents.
• Degree outcomes. A First or a 2:1 says more about effort and fit than IQ.

In Canada, the setup is closer to the US: you often apply to a faculty and choose a major later. Canadian universities don't publish IQ by program either, so the same US-based charts get reused.

Pick a major for fit, not a number

Knowing the average iq by major is fun trivia. It's a terrible way to choose your future. Here's a better checklist:

1. Match your strengths. Numbers-heavy mind? STEM might click. Words and arguments? Humanities or law.
2. Check the day-to-day. Watch "day in the life" videos from real students, not just highlight reels.
3. Try an intro class or free course before committing.
4. Look at careers, not just prestige. Where do grads actually end up?
5. Remember switching is normal. Many people change majors, and it's fine.

For context on students overall, see average IQ of college students.

Find your fit beyond average iq by major

Charts about average IQ by major describe strangers. In the next few minutes, IQ Tester's 20 untimed questions show your score band and three of your four category strengths, so you can see whether numbers, words, logic or patterns come easiest to you. Its guides then give you a short daily drill for your weak spots.

Find my weak spots

FAQ

What major has the highest average IQ?

On most estimates built from SAT and GRE data, physics, math, philosophy, economics and engineering rank highest. These are estimates from test scores, not direct IQ testing.

Where does the average IQ by major graph on Reddit come from?

Most versions trace back to SAT and GRE averages by intended major, turned into IQ estimates, including a widely shared chart by Randal Olson. It's a rough conversion, not official data.

What is the average IQ of a psychology major?

Psychology usually lands mid-pack on test-score-based rankings. The spread within psychology is wide, and plenty of psych majors score as high as anyone.

Is there data on average IQ by degree in the UK?

No major public dataset exists. People use entry requirements and admissions tests as rough proxies, but none of them convert cleanly to IQ.

Should I choose a major based on IQ?

No. Choose based on what you enjoy, what you're good at and where it leads. The range inside every major is much bigger than the difference between majors.