He is the first North American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church
While we understand that intelligence is more than just a number, IQ tests can still offer insights into how someone's mind works, especially when chatting face-to-face isn't an option. Back in 2006, Professor Dean Simonton from the University of California, Davis, couldn't resist the curiosity. He conducted a study to estimate the IQ scores of all the US presidents.
Curious about the recent US presidents' scores as well? The websites Ranker and Sociosite also published IQ scores. Keep reading to discover what those are!
Gerald Ford, the 38th U.S. President, rocked an IQ of 127.08. Not only did he roll through Yale Law School, but he pulled it off while coaching the varsity football team.
The 30th president, often called Silent Cal, was known for being smart with an IQ of 127.1. People liked him because he believed in equal rights. Some blame him for the Great Depression, though. He went to Amherst College in Massachusetts and did really well.
Even though Harry Truman, the 33rd president of the United States, was smart with an IQ of 127.55, he didn't finish college. Truman had a tough time because he was blind in one eye, which made it hard for him to keep up. As a result, he left college after only a year.
Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president who took over after John F. Kennedy was assassinated, was really smart with an IQ of 127.83. He loved learning and was a dedicated student throughout his life. When he was in 11th grade, he became the president of his class. Later, he went to what is now Texas State University, where he studied and earned a teaching certificate along with a bachelor's degree in history.
Herbert Hoover, the 31st president during the tough times of the Great Depression, wasn't very well-liked, but he was hardworking and accomplished from a young age. Hoover, with an IQ of 129.78, was into geology at Stanford. Even while studying, he managed to start his own business taking care of other students' laundry on the side.
Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, had a smart mind with an IQ score of 130. However, he wasn't very keen on school and finished college with an average grade of C. Instead of following a traditional path, Reagan ventured into radio and film careers before eventually getting into politics.
The 25th and 41st presidents both had an IQ score of 130.13, but their education stories were quite different. McKinley chose to join the Union in the Civil War after only a year in college. In contrast, Bush graduated from Yale University in just two and a half years, doing exceptionally well academically as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Besides, he took on the role of fraternity president and led the university's baseball team.
James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States, was quite smart with an IQ of 130.2, and he used it to full advantage. Regarded as one of the most successful presidents, Polk fulfilled all his campaign promises and extended the U.S. border all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Grover Cleveland, who served as both the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, holds the unique distinction of being the only president with non-consecutive terms. Unlike many presidents, Cleveland didn't attend college due to financial constraints. However, with an IQ of 130.95, he was self-taught in law and managed to pass the bar exam without any formal guidance.
Before the Watergate scandal tarnished his legacy, Richard Nixon, the 37th President, was an excellent student. Despite his family's financial difficulties, Nixon, with an IQ of 131, excelled academically. He earned a bachelor's degree in history with honors from Whittier University and went on to attend Duke Law School on a scholarship.
Even with an impressive IQ score of 131.9, Dwight D. Eisenhower showed little interest in education during his youth. While at West Point Military Academy, where he would later become the 34th president, Eisenhower was a below-average student and had several disciplinary infractions.
Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States, may not be widely remembered, but he was one of the smartest with an IQ score of 132.15. Despite facing criticism for his extensive federal funding, Harrison was ahead of his time by attempting (though unsuccessfully) to enforce African-American voting rights at the close of the 19th century.
The first president of the United States, George Washington, is believed to have had an IQ score of 132.5, but he never received more than an elementary school education. Nevertheless, Washington became a skilled surveyor by the age of 17 and a military commander by the age of 23.
Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States, is unique in presidential history for being the only one to have learned English as a second language. He was also the first president not to come from an English background. Despite not being frequently remembered in modern times, Van Buren, with an IQ of 133.35, hailed from a humble Dutch family in New York.
William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, and Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president, shared an estimated IQ score of 133.93. Unfortunately, Harrison's presidency was short-lived, lasting only 30 days, as he fell seriously ill after his inauguration. On the other hand, Hayes, a former lawyer, was passionate about defending the rights of formerly enslaved people who had escaped from the Southern states before serving as president.
Franklin Pierce, despite having an IQ score of 134.78, is often considered one of the worst and most destructive presidents in history. He was an average and unremarkable student before becoming president. Unfortunately, Pierce's presidency is marked by aggressive expansionist and anti-abolitionist policies that are seen as contributing directly to the onset of the Civil War.
Millard Fillmore, the 13th president of the United States, had an estimated IQ of 135.98, which surely came in handy as he tried to make his way as a formally uneducated young man. From these humble beginnings, Fillmore became a lawyer and then president in 1850, without any education.
John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, possessed an IQ score of 136.2. His intelligence likely played a role in his successful academic endeavors at the College of William and Mary, the second-oldest higher-education institution in the United States. Remarkably, Tyler graduated from college at the young age of 17.
It's fitting that one of the most influential presidents in modern memory, Theodore Roosevelt, had a high IQ of 139.6. Before his presidency, Roosevelt attended Columbia Law School but left before graduating, having already passed the New York Bar Exam.
Abraham Lincoln, one of the most renowned presidents in American history, is estimated to have had an IQ score of 140, placing him at the threshold of genius. Before his iconic presidency, Lincoln taught himself law and went on to become a successful attorney without attending university.
James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, demonstrated exceptional intelligence with an estimated IQ of 141.25. As a young and outstanding student at Princeton University, he completed his three-year degree in just two years. Madison went on to become one of the primary drafters of the Constitution, earning him the honorary title of the "Father of the Constitution."
James Garfield and Chester Arthur, the 20th and 21st presidents of the United States, shared an estimated IQ of 141.5. In their school days, both Garfield and Arthur faced challenges, with Garfield being bullied for being fatherless and Arthur for his obesity. However, both men were exemplary students, with Garfield graduating second in his class and Arthur serving as president of his debate team.
Theodore Roosevelt, often called Teddy, was the 26th president of the United States. He holds the distinction of being the youngest person to ever hold the office, taking over at the age of 42 after the assassination of President William McKinley, under whom Roosevelt served as vice president. With one of the highest recorded IQs of any president at 142.28, Roosevelt applied his intelligence to revitalize the national parks program, initiate antitrust legislation, and negotiate the treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese War.
John Adams, the second president of the United States and the recognized founder of the US Navy, had an impressive IQ score of 142.5. His high intelligence likely played a role in his enrollment at Harvard University at the age of 16, where he studied classical literature in the original Greek and Latin.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, and Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president, share an impressive IQ score of 145.1. Despite being an average student, Carter excelled at the US Naval Academy. In contrast, Wilson had a distinguished career in academia before entering politics, where he specialized in history and political science as a scholar.
Bill Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States and the sole president to be a Rhodes Scholar, possesses an impressive IQ score of 148.8. His natural intellect helped him secure a scholarship to Georgetown University in Virginia, and later, the Rhodes Scholarship facilitated his studies at Oxford. Subsequently, Clinton attended Yale Law School, showcasing his commitment to academic and intellectual pursuits.
John F. Kennedy, with an IQ of 150.65, served as the 35th president of the United States for three years. He is firmly cemented in history as one of the most iconic presidents, playing a significant role in the tumultuous events of the Cold War. Kennedy tragically became the victim of one of the most publicized assassinations in the history of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson, with an estimated IQ score of 153.75, was undeniably one of the most industrious Americans in history. Beyond serving as the third president of the United States, he held roles such as the president of the American Philosophical Society. Additionally, Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and played a pivotal role in establishing the University of Virginia. His multifaceted contributions have left a lasting impact on American history and education.
John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, is estimated to have had an exceptionally high IQ score of 168.75, making him one of the most intellectually gifted presidents in history. From a young age, Adams displayed signs of brilliance, influenced in part by his father John Adams. He was an enthusiastic reader and translator of classic Greek and Latin texts. Adams is also renowned for maintaining a diary from his early years until his death, providing valuable insights into his thoughts and experiences over a lifetime.
With an IQ score of 124.88, as reported by Ranker, Bush continued a family tradition by attending a boarding school. Despite facing initial challenges, he later proudly emphasized that his journey illustrates how a straight-C student can achieve success.
He encountered severe criticism for the Iraq War, his administration's response to Hurricane Katrina's devastation, and other notable controversies.
After obtaining degrees from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, Barack Obama became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. He worked as a community organizer in Chicago, and later served three terms representing the 13th District on the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004.
President from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017, Obama enacted significant legislation, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Bill, and the Don't Ask Don't Tell Repeal Act. His alleged IQ of 155 underscores his intellectual prowess in his multifaceted career, as reported by Ranker.
According to Sociosite, Joe Biden's estimated IQ is 115, placing him in the "High Average" IQ category. While not in the "genius" range, Biden's success extends to his former roles as senator, vice president, and president. Known for his outgoing personality, quick wit, and keen debating skills, Biden attended the University of Delaware and worked as a public defender after law school.
In 2015, Donald Trump entered the political arena as the Republican candidate and, despite his lack of prior experience, won the 2016 presidential election. Reelected in November 2024, his presidency has been marked by controversy, polarization, and significant policy changes on immigration, tax reform, and foreign policy. Regardless of one’s views, Trump’s undeniable impact on American society and politics is reflected in his alleged IQ of 145, as reported by Ranker.
Sources: (MoneyWise) (Reader's Digest) (Ranker) (Sociosite) (Moneywise)
See also: The most memorable presidential debates in US history
The most (and least) intelligent US presidents based on their IQ scores
Let's decode intelligence scores and find the brainiacs!
LIFESTYLE History
While we understand that intelligence is more than just a number, IQ tests can still offer insights into how someone's mind works, especially when chatting face-to-face isn't an option. Back in 2006, Professor Dean Simonton from the University of California, Davis, couldn't resist the curiosity. He conducted a study to estimate the IQ scores of all the US presidents.
Curious about the recent US presidents' scores as well? The websites Ranker and Sociosite also published IQ scores. Keep reading to discover what those are!