Research and development are important to American businesses and the economy as a whole. On a global scale, the U.S. ranks third for innovation against all the other countries of the world. All 50 states and D.C. were compared for 25 indicators of innovation.
This includes the number of people in STEM compared to the amount of per-capita spending on R&D as well as the density of tech companies in the state. Innovative states tend to attract a lot of top talent in STEM and have a lot of career opportunities as well as a lot invested in innovation.
Most Innovative States
According to WalletHub, these are the states that are the most and least innovative.
In the most innovative states, a significant amount of businesses are involved in R&D. They’re attracting people from around the world for the many STEM careers that exist there.
District of Columbia
Washington, D.C. is the top place where innovation is happening. It has an enormous amount of people in STEM and many tech companies doing research. It has a state innovation index of 71.65.
Massachusetts
With a state innovation index of 69.93, this state has MIT as well as other institutions that draw in some of the smartest minds from around the world. Job opportunities in tech are plentiful.
Washington
Washington is the home of Microsoft and many other high-tech hubs. It gets an innovation index score of 66.36 for the amount of R&D that is going on in this Pacific Northwest state.
California
California is home to many areas that are well-ranked for innovation. Silicon Valley alone attracts many of the most innovative people to live and work in this state. It gets a 65.63 on the innovation index.
Colorado
Colorado gets a high ranking for its innovative environment. It also brings in a lot of STEM workers looking for great opportunities. It earns a 63.93 on the innovation index.
Maryland
With its score of 62.41, Maryland is bringing a lot of top minds to the table to collaborate and create the latest innovations. It ranks especially highly for the people it attracts thanks to its many STEM jobs.
Virginia
Virginia has a lot of important centers for research and development. It’s the home of impressive universities and a host of tech companies. It gets an innovation index rating of 59.86.
Least Innovative States
These states have less in the way of an innovation environment and don’t attract many people to come and work in STEM. These states have a long way to go to become innovative.
Mississippi
There isn’t a lot of R&D going on in this state. Its high rate of poverty and high crime rate have kept other issues at the forefront of the state’s efforts. It has a score of 22.27, less than a third that of Washington, D.C.
Louisiana
Like Mississippi, this state has enormous problems that are getting all the attention. There isn’t much left over for innovation and research. It has a score of 25.34 on the innovation index.
West Virginia
The poverty in West Virginia has made the human crisis there at the foremost of the state’s energies. The state ranks dead last as an environment for innovation. It has a score of 27.25.
North Dakota
With its score of 28.44, North Dakota is a little cut off from the major population centers of the U.S. This has led to little being invested into STEM in this state and not many people wanting to move there for a job.
Arkansas
There isn’t an impressive amount of high-tech companies in the Natural State. This beautiful state sits at 49th for its innovative environment. It earns a 29.66 on the innovation index.
Kansas
Kansas is a little isolated when it comes to major population centers, and it doesn’t have a great reputation for its universities. It’s near the bottom for its innovative environment. The state gets a score of 30.50.
Iowa
Not known for its R&D, Iowa is close to the bottom for the amount of people it attracts into the state for STEM jobs. It also doesn’t have an ideal environment for innovation. It has a score of 30.91.
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