Strategic Thinking Across America: The 10 Smartest States Ranked

Strategic thinking pays off in poker, business, and life. To find out which states think ahead, we ranked all 50 states on eight strategic-thinking indicators, from chess participation to credit scores. Each state received a score out of 100 based on how it performed across all categories. The final rankings reveal which states are building smart habits, and which ones are falling behind.

Key Findings:

Massachusetts ranks first with 16.1% of its workforce in STEM jobs, nearly 5% above the national average of 11.06%.
No state plays more chess than New York (#2), which leads the top 10 with 56 players per 10,000.
Connecticut (#4) has the highest SAT turnout in the top 10 at 98%, more than double the national average of 36.9%.
Mississippi (#50) ranks last on the index with zero top 500 STEM high schools and just 1% of students taking SATs.

10. Washington - 49.17 / 100

Tucked between the Cascade Mountains and the innovation engine of Seattle, Washington ranks 10th for strategic thinking thanks to its mix of mental discipline and stable financial habits.

♟️ Chess players: 25 per 10,000 residents
🏫 STEM high schools ranked in the top 500: 12
🎰 Licensed casinos across the state: 34
🧠 Average IQ: 101.9
✏️ 37% of high school students take the SAT
📊 Average SAT score: 1081
💳 Average credit score: 734
🔬 14.9% of workforce employed in STEM fields

9. Virginia 50.15 / 100

With roots in both defense and tech, Virginia stands out for its strategic mindset, which reflects in solid SAT scores and a high rate of chess players.

♟️ Chess players: 46 per 10,000 residents
🏫 STEM high schools ranked in the top 500: 6
🎰 Licensed casinos across the state: 3
🧠 Average IQ: 101.9
✏️ 51% of high school students take the SAT
📊 Average SAT score: 1113
💳 Average credit score: 721
🔬 14% of workforce employed in STEM fields

8. Colorado 51.15 / 100

Colorado pairs high-altitude living with a high SAT turnout. 90% of students take the test, suggesting a statewide commitment to long-term planning.

♟️ Chess players: 26 per 10,000 residents
🏫 STEM high schools ranked in the top 500: 12
🎰 Licensed casinos across the state: 35
🧠 Average IQ: 101.5
✏️ 90% of high school students take the SAT.
📊 Average SAT score: 996
💳 Average credit score: 728
🔬 14.6% of workforce employed in STEM fields.

7. Illinois 51.32 / 100

Illinois blends Midwestern grit with intellectual edge, with cities like Chicago shaping a culture of sharp thinking and steady discipline.

♟️ Chess players: 51 per 10,000 residents
🏫 STEM high schools ranked in the top 500: 26
🎰 Licensed casinos across the state: 15
🧠 Average IQ: 99.9
✏️ 90% of high school students take the SAT.
📊 Average SAT score: 970
💳 Average credit score: 719
🔬 11.9% of workforce employed in STEM fields.

6. Vermont 52.70 / 100

Even without a flashy casino scene or a long list of elite schools, Vermont’s top 10 spot reflects a commitment to smart habits and long-term thinking in the state.

♟️ Chess players: 51 per 10,000 residents
🏫 STEM high schools ranked in the top 500: 1
🎰 Licensed casinos across the state: 0
🧠 Average IQ: 103.8
✏️ 43% of high school students take the SAT.
📊 Average SAT score: 1099
💳 Average credit score: 736
🔬 12.1% of workforce employed in STEM fields.

5. New Hampshire 55.72/100

Steeped in a tradition of independence and civic engagement, New Hampshire pairs its “Live Free or Die” spirit with one of the most academically involved student populations in the country.

♟️ Chess players: 39 per 10,000 residents
🏫 STEM high schools ranked in the top 500: 2
🎰 Licensed casinos across the state: 0
🧠 Average IQ: 104.2
✏️ 82% of high school students take the SAT.
📊 Average SAT score: 1035
💳 Average credit score: 734
🔬 14.4% of workforce employed in STEM fields.

4. Connecticut 56.67 / 100

Connecticut's edge lies in its discipline. This small but driven state stands out for its academic intensity, with the highest SAT turnout in the top 10.

♟️ Chess players: 45 per 10,000 residents
🏫 STEM high schools ranked in the top 500: 17
🎰 Licensed casinos across the state: 2
🧠 Average IQ: 103.5
✏️ 98% of high school students take the SAT.
📊 Average SAT score: 1007
💳 Average credit score: 728
🔬 12.9% of workforce employed in STEM fields.

3. New Jersey 58.69 / 100 🥉

New Jersey takes the bronze for strategic thinking. Residents have access to 44 STEM high schools ranked in the nation’s top 500, including Princeton International School of Math and Science. With 45 chess players per 10,000 people and an average IQ of 102.8, the state shows clear signs of strategic depth. About 66% of students take the SAT, scoring an average of 1066. The average credit score is 725, and 13.5% of the workforce is employed in STEM fields. With nine casinos in the state, there’s also room for calculated risk.

2. New York 58.71 / 100 🥈

There’s no shortage of competitive outlets for strategic thinkers in New York. The state has 34 casinos and the highest rate of chess participation in the top 10, with 56 players per 10,000 people. It also leads the country in high-performing STEM high schools, with 62 making the national list. Students show solid academic engagement, with 61% taking the SAT and scoring an average of 1039. Intellectual and financial metrics remain steady in the state with a 100.7 IQ average, 722 average credit score, and 11.8% of the workforce in STEM.

1. Massachusetts 60.81 / 100 🥇

Massachusetts takes the top spot with a strong showing across nearly every metric. It has 34 STEM high schools in the national top 500, and the average IQ is 104.3, the highest in the top 10. 52% of students take the SAT, with an average score of 1112. What sets Massachusetts apart is its workforce. About 16.1 percent are employed in STEM, nearly 5% above the national average of 11.06%. Chess participation is steady at 35 per 10,000, and with only three casinos, the state leans more academic than recreational when it comes to strategy.

The Southern States Struggling with Strategy

At the bottom of our strategic index are three neighboring Southern states: Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. Mississippi ranks last with an index score of just 13.52, driven by the lowest SAT participation (1%) and zero STEM high schools in the top 500. Arkansas and Alabama fare slightly better, with scores of 18.40 and 18.92, respectively. All three states show low chess participation, limited STEM infrastructure, and below-average STEM workforce representation, pointing to a regional gap in strategy-focused thinking.

Methodology

We created a composite index by collecting publicly available state-specific data across eight indicators related to strategic thinking and long-term planning. Each metric was normalized and equally weighted to produce a final score out of 100. Here's what we measured:

Factors & Sources:

Chess Participation: US Chess Federation
Top STEM High Schools: U.S. News & World Report
Number of Casinos: American Gaming Association
IQ Rankings: World Population Review
SAT Participation Rate: OnToCollege
Average SAT Score: OnToCollege
Average Credit Score: Investopedia
STEM Workforce (% with Bachelor’s degrees): National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics

Final Moves: Lessons from the Rankings

If all 50 states sat down at a real-money poker tournament, you'd keep your eye on Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. They're disciplined players with sharp instincts and a long-term game plan. As for Mississippi, Arkansas or Alabama? Let's just say you'd be glad to see them at your table.

Where does your state stack up? Join the conversation on X & YouTube with #StrategicStates2025.

Paul Seaton