Average IQ by Study Area (Major / Field of Study)
Average IQ by study area (major / field of study) based on our large online dataset. Scores start as percentile ranks and are shown on a familiar 100 +/- 15 scale so the numbers are easy to read.
Quick answer (top and bottom study areas)
Top 3 and bottom 3 study areas by mean IQ in the current view (Validated). Each line includes the 95% confidence interval and N.
- Physics: 104.9 IQ (N=1,148, 95% CI 104.1 to 105.7)
- Computer Science: 104.8 IQ (N=4,029, 95% CI 104.3 to 105.3)
- Chemistry: 102.8 IQ (N=1,204, 95% CI 101.9 to 103.7)
- Social Work: 96 IQ (N=1,580, 95% CI 95.3 to 96.7)
- Psychology: 97.3 IQ (N=1,738, 95% CI 96.6 to 98)
- Geography: 97.5 IQ (N=624, 95% CI 96.4 to 98.6)
- In this dataset, Physics averages 104.9 IQ (validated N=1,148).
- Lowest average in the validated subset: Social Work at 96 IQ (N=1,580).
- Most study areas cluster tightly around 96 to 104.9 IQ.
- The full spread between the highest and lowest means is about 8.9 IQ points.
- Largest validated sample: No diploma (N=27,596).
- Validation rates range from 15% to 45%.
- Physics and Computer Science rank near the top with validated N=1,148 and N=4,029, so those positions are relatively stable.
- Space Sciences is still tiny (validated N=146), so it can swing more between updates.
Data notes and limits
- Study area is self-reported and may not match formal classification.
- This page shows associations in the dataset, not causation.
- Scores start as percentile ranks and are shown on a familiar 100 +/- 15 scale.
- The 95% CI is the wiggle room around the mean - big samples are tighter, small samples are wider.
- Age and country mixes differ by field, so treat this as descriptive (not causal).
- This does not mean a subject causes higher IQ.
- It reflects who takes the test, who selects the study area, and how they perform on this format.
Mean IQ by study area
Sorted by mean or N. Check the CI and N before comparing small gaps.
Compare two study areas
Compare mean, CI, N, distribution, time, and validation rate in the current view.
Sample size by study area (N)
Bars are stacked (validated + unvalidated). Smaller groups are noisier, so always check N and the 95% CI before ranking.
Validation rate by study area
Shows validated vs all results and the validation rate.
IQ distribution by study area (p10-p90)
This view shows the middle 80% of scores (10th to 90th percentile) and the middle half (25th to 75th). Select up to five study areas to compare.
Average time taken by study area
Average time taken for the top study areas by N. Longer times can reflect pacing or test-taking strategy.
How to interpret study area differences
- Selection effects: some fields attract people who like abstract problem solving.
- Prerequisites: math-heavy fields filter earlier via coursework.
- Test format fit: this is a Raven-style, fluid reasoning task.
- Language and device: online tests can shift results by comfort with digital tasks.
- Demographics: age, education level, and country mix differ by study area.
- Differences are usually small and groups overlap a lot - do not over-interpret rank order.
Research context
Research on cognitive performance across majors is mixed and heavily influenced by selection, prior preparation, and test format. Treat these results as descriptive statistics for a large online dataset, not evidence that a field causes higher IQ.
Data table & download
Universaliqtest. Average IQ by Study Area (accessed 2026-01-17). https://www.universaliqtest.com/en/statistics/average-iq-by-study-area
<iframe src="https://www.universaliqtest.com/en/statistics/average-iq-by-study-area" width="100%" height="720" loading="lazy"></iframe>
| Study area | Validated / All N | Mean IQ | 95% CI | Median (p50) | p10 | p25 | p75 | p90 | Avg time | Validation rate | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No diploma | 27,596 / 102,041 | 99.6 | 99.4 to 99.8 | 99.4 | 80.3 | 89.3 | 109.5 | 118.6 | 35:22 | 27.0% | 2026-01-17 |
| Performing Arts | 1,815 / 6,068 | 97.9 | 97.2 to 98.6 | 96.9 | 78 | 86.7 | 107.5 | 116.2 | 37:11 | 29.9% | 2026-01-17 |
| Visual Arts | 2,716 / 6,730 | 99.9 | 99.3 to 100.5 | 99.6 | 81.3 | 89.8 | 110 | 117.7 | 38:04 | 40.4% | 2026-01-17 |
| History | 1,156 / 5,028 | 98 | 97.2 to 98.8 | 96.8 | 77.5 | 87.5 | 107.2 | 116.3 | 35:23 | 23.0% | 2026-01-17 |
| Languages and Literature | 3,243 / 9,882 | 98.2 | 97.7 to 98.7 | 97.6 | 79.7 | 88.3 | 106.8 | 115 | 37:05 | 32.8% | 2026-01-17 |
| Law | 2,979 / 9,747 | 100.3 | 99.8 to 100.8 | 100.3 | 81.7 | 90.8 | 110.3 | 118 | 39:38 | 30.6% | 2026-01-17 |
| Philosophy | 938 / 5,318 | 100.1 | 99.1 to 101.1 | 99.8 | 81 | 89.5 | 111 | 120.3 | 41:16 | 17.6% | 2026-01-15 |
| Theology | 486 / 3,062 | 99.6 | 98.2 to 101 | 99.8 | 77.5 | 88.2 | 109.2 | 119.8 | 40:54 | 15.9% | 2026-01-17 |
| Anthropology | 220 / 1,464 | 101.4 | 99.2 to 103.6 | 102.7 | 82.3 | 90.8 | 113.2 | 121.6 | 37:40 | 15.0% | 2026-01-09 |
| Economics | 6,063 / 16,219 | 99.1 | 98.7 to 99.5 | 98.8 | 81.1 | 89.2 | 108.1 | 116.3 | 43:18 | 37.4% | 2026-01-17 |
| Geography | 624 / 2,232 | 97.5 | 96.4 to 98.6 | 96.3 | 77.3 | 86.7 | 105.9 | 116 | 45:33 | 28.0% | 2026-01-17 |
| Political Science | 637 / 1,981 | 99.5 | 98.4 to 100.6 | 99.9 | 81.8 | 89.3 | 108.7 | 118.5 | 41:13 | 32.2% | 2026-01-16 |
| Psychology | 1,738 / 5,431 | 97.3 | 96.6 to 98 | 96.1 | 77.9 | 86.6 | 105.8 | 115.5 | 36:01 | 32.0% | 2026-01-17 |
| Sociology | 934 / 3,653 | 100 | 99.1 to 100.9 | 100.3 | 81.4 | 90.4 | 109.2 | 117.6 | 39:35 | 25.6% | 2026-01-15 |
| Social Work | 1,580 / 7,078 | 96 | 95.3 to 96.7 | 94.5 | 77.4 | 85.7 | 103.7 | 112.3 | 34:28 | 22.3% | 2026-01-16 |
| Biology | 1,606 / 6,260 | 100.4 | 99.7 to 101.1 | 100.7 | 80.8 | 90.4 | 111.1 | 119.2 | 40:58 | 25.7% | 2026-01-17 |
| Chemistry | 1,204 / 5,502 | 102.8 | 101.9 to 103.7 | 104 | 83.6 | 93.5 | 114.9 | 123 | 48:38 | 21.9% | 2026-01-16 |
| Earth Science | 495 / 1,362 | 99.7 | 98.4 to 101 | 99.7 | 81.3 | 89.7 | 109.4 | 117.8 | 36:26 | 36.3% | 2026-01-14 |
| Space Sciences | 146 / 778 | 100.7 | 97.8 to 103.6 | 101.7 | 78.4 | 88.4 | 112.1 | 119.8 | 34:02 | 18.8% | 2025-12-30 |
| Physics | 1,148 / 3,267 | 104.9 | 104.1 to 105.7 | 107.1 | 86 | 97.4 | 116.7 | 125.8 | 44:02 | 35.1% | 2026-01-17 |
| Computer Science | 4,029 / 9,907 | 104.8 | 104.3 to 105.3 | 106.6 | 86.7 | 97 | 116.8 | 125.1 | 47:34 | 40.7% | 2026-01-17 |
| Mathematics | 2,198 / 7,318 | 102.7 | 102 to 103.4 | 103.9 | 82.9 | 93.1 | 115.1 | 124.3 | 40:11 | 30.0% | 2026-01-17 |
| Business | 3,454 / 9,101 | 98.3 | 97.8 to 98.8 | 97.8 | 79.1 | 88 | 107.3 | 116.3 | 44:54 | 38.0% | 2026-01-17 |
| Engineering and Technology | 7,473 / 16,625 | 102.2 | 101.9 to 102.5 | 103.1 | 83.5 | 93 | 113.2 | 122.2 | 46:28 | 45.0% | 2026-01-17 |
| Medicine and Health | 3,767 / 9,142 | 99.1 | 98.6 to 99.6 | 98.8 | 79.6 | 88.8 | 108.8 | 118 | 40:11 | 41.2% | 2026-01-17 |
FAQ
Use the Quick answer box or the sorted mean chart; it updates with the validated or all-results view.
Use the compare tool or the data table to look up specific study areas.
No. This is an online test dataset summarized for statistics, not a clinical assessment.
No. This page reports associations in the dataset and does not imply causation.
Study areas overlap heavily, so average differences tend to be modest.
No. The dataset is large but self-selected and should be read as online test statistics.
Validated results pass quality checks; all results include unvalidated submissions.