The career website Zippia recently crunched the numbersto determine the smartest states in America. The company compiles US Census data to determine the percentage of adults over 25 with at least a college degree and the percentage of current high school dropouts aged 16-19.
Of High Plains states Nebraska fared the best, landing at number 9 on the list. Kansas wasn’t far behind, falling at number 11 in a tie with Rhode Island. Colorado was in the top half of states as well, landing at number 17. Texas was lower on the list, landing at number 38. And Oklahoma was near the bottom, at number 47.
Of the five smartest states, four are in New England. One interesting note: Of the ten smartest states, six were solidly Democratic by party affiliation in 2015. Two were swing states and two leaned Republican: New Hampshire and Nebraska. Red and blue state data comes courtesy of Gallup.