New List Ranks Arizona As One of the Most Innovative States in U.S.

PHOENIX— Arizona was recently ranked as one of the more innovative states in the U.S., according to a new study published by WalletHub.

The study compared all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and placed Arizona as 16th overall on its list, with a ranking of 12 for “innovation environment” and 18th for “human capital.”

The study compared the states across two key dimensions: “Human Capital” and “Innovation Environment.” The dimensions were then evaluated using 22 different metrics.  Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, and each state’s weighted average for all metrics combined was used to calculate a “State Innovation Index.”


Arizona did not rank in the top five for any of the metrics analyzed.

According to the WalletHub study, the five most innovative states in the U.S. are Massachusetts, Maryland, Washington, the District of Columbia, and California, respectively.

Sitting at the bottom and considered to be the least innovative are Louisiana at No. 50 and Mississippi, No. 51, taking the last spot on the list. 

The metrics used in the study consisted of the share of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals, the projected demand of STEM jobs by 2020, research and development spending per capita, entrepreneurial activity, average internet speed, and net migration, among others. 

Each state’s calculated rating was ranked in order from most to least innovative, landing Arizona at No. 16 on the State Innovation Index.