Celebrities IQ

What Is Bill Nye's IQ?

By Samantha Davis
Psychology Writer
Published on June 26, 2024 | Updated on February 21, 2025

Image by Ed Schipul, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Bill Nye's IQ Is Believed to Be Around 130

Bill Nye, the beloved "Science Guy," isn’t just about science... he’s also a genius with an IQ of 130!

Born on November 27, 1955, in Washington, D.C., Nye began his career as a mechanical engineer at Boeing in Seattle. His natural talent for explaining complex concepts combined with his passion for science education led him to pioneer a new form of educational entertainment. The result was his groundbreaking show, "Bill Nye the Science Guy," which ran from 1993 to 1998, earning 19 Emmy Awards and revolutionizing how children learn about science.

Nye's influence goes beyond TV. He’s the CEO of the Planetary Society, an author of bestsellers like "Undeniable" and "Unstoppable," and he’s even danced on "Dancing with the Stars!" Chances are you’ve also seen him on "The Big Bang Theory" and "Inside Amy Schumer."

And guess what? Bill Nye is getting his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! After decades of teaching us about the stars, he’s joining them.

Bill Nye's IQ

130

How We Estimated Bill Nye's IQ

Average Confidence Level

Medium

The estimated IQ score for Bill Nye comes from one source. We used the IQ estimate reported by Distractify. For an additional perspective, we included the scores from two other sources with a lower level of confidence.

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Distractify

130 IQ

IQ-test.org

115 IQ

Market Realist

130 IQ

5 Facts That Show Bill Nye's Genius IQ

Mechanical Engineering Degree: Bill Nye graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. His strong foundation in engineering principles has underpinned his career in science communication.
Invented a Hydraulic Device: Nye is responsible for inventing a hydraulic pressure resonance suppressor still used in Boeing 747s today. This innovation highlights his practical application of scientific knowledge to solve complex problems.
Popular Science Show: Bill Nye's television program 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' simplified complex scientific concepts. His simple approaches and entertaining personality made science appealing and accessible to young audiences around the globe.
Authored Children's Books: He has also written several children's books that explore various scientific topics. These books further evidence his commitment to educating the next generation about science.
Advocate for Science Education: As CEO of the Planetary Society, Bill Nye actively works to promote space exploration and science education, emphasizing the importance of scientific literacy in today's world.

Image by NASA Goddard Photo and Video, used under CC BY 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

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Bill Nye's Score on the IQ Spectrum

With a 130 IQ, Bill Nye is in the high-IQ territory. His score places him in the top 2% of the population, opening doors to Mensa, known for its intellectual selectivity. While impressive, his IQ just misses the benchmarks for Intertel and the Triple Nine Society, which seek the top 1% and 0.1%, respectively. So, while Bill might not get into those super-exclusive clubs, he's still smart enough to make us all feel like we should’ve paid more attention in science class!

Image by Ed Schipul, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Comparing Bill Nye's 130 IQ to That of Other Scientists

Bill Nye, with an IQ of 130, stands out for making science fun and accessible to everyone. But how does he compare to other brilliant minds in science? Let’s take a look.

Let's start with Australian mathematician Terence Tao. This Princeton-educated genius, who is now a professor at UCLA, has an astonishing IQ of 227. At 31, he became the youngest winner of the Fields Medal, the highest honor in mathematics. He's also one of the highest IQ individuals in the world.

Next in our list, Kim Ung-Yong has an IQ of 210. By age three, he was conversing in multiple languages, demonstrating his exceptional intellect from a very young age. And no surprise, just like Terence Tao, he's also among the highest IQ people in the world.

J. Robert Oppenheimer, with an IQ of 145, is another remarkable scientist. Known for leading the Manhattan Project, his contributions to physics were groundbreaking and have left a lasting legacy. Recently, his life was portrayed in the movie Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan. The movie, starring Cillian Murphy, won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor, and earned nearly $1 billion worldwide.

There's also geniuses in the world of theoretical physics. Edward Witten has an IQ of 191. He has revolutionized theoretical physics with his work, leading to groundbreaking theories like M-theory.

Finally, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, with an IQ of 190, is yet another genius. He co-invented calculus, laying the groundwork for many scientific advancements.

Illustration composed of multiple sources: images by Seattle Municipal Archives under CC BY 2.0, MasterClass on YouTube under YouTube, unknown author under CC BY-SA 4.0, Charles Thorpe and Steven Shapin under Public Domain, CliffMoore under Public Domain, Digitalisierungszentrum der Niedersächsischen Staats- under CC BY 4.0 / Incorporated into an illustration

Were you imagining Bill Nye's IQ to be less than 130? Discuss your initial impressions in the comments below!

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