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What a snob!
Have you ever encountered someone who just gives off that vibe? Perhaps it’s the way they delicately swirl their wine, offering unsolicited advice on how to savor every note of its bouquet. Or maybe it’s the self-satisfied way they correct you, insisting that the name of the artist Edvard Munch doesn’t rhyme with “bunch.”
It could also be their talent for weaving tales of their Ivy League education into every discussion. Whatever it is, when you recognize it, you know.
We decided to explore where in the U.S. snobbiness is most prevalent and where it stands out like a sore thumb.
Snobbiest States
- Massachusetts
- Vermont
- Connecticut
- New York
- New Hampshire
- Rhode Island
- California
- Oregon
- Maine
- Virginia
It appears that the Northeast may have a smugness issue. Continue reading to discover how all 50 states stack up and what makes these top 10 so snobby.
How We Determined This
We ranked each state based on four criteria:
- Percentage of the population with a bachelor’s degree
- Percentage of degree holders majoring in arts and humanities
- Number of Ivy League institutions
- Annual wine consumption per capita
We first analyzed educational attainment using reliable data sources. We calculated the overall percentage of college graduates in each state, then looked at the percentage of those graduates holding degrees in humanities and the arts.
Since wine can often be seen as a “snobby” drink, we also factored in wine consumption. We gathered data on the gallons of wine consumed annually in each state from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, converting it into bottles for standardization (approximately 1 gallon equals 5 bottles).
Finally, we adjusted for population differences to ensure our findings reflected per capita consumption. Naturally, this includes non-drinkers and minors, so some residents may drink more while others consume less.
1. Massachusetts
Adults With College Diploma: 42.9%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 24%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 21
How can you tell if someone attended Harvard? They probably won’t tell you, but you can bet they’ll drop hints. Home to several prestigious universities, Massachusetts boasts an exceptionally educated populace with a penchant for wine, creating a perfect environment for snobbiness and artisanal cheese lovers.
2. Vermont
Adults With College Diploma: 37.3%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 29%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 26
Vermont comes in at a close second, with the highest percentage of residents holding humanities or arts degrees in the country at 29%. Combine that with a high wine consumption rate, and it’s easy to see why this state ranks so high.
3. Connecticut
Adults With College Diploma: 38.9%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 24%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 19.5
Connecticut ranks third for snobbiness. A visit to New Haven or a conversation with a Yale graduate will quickly confirm this. Additionally, a notable number of graduates in literature add to the state’s intellectual aura.
4. New York
Adults With College Diploma: 35.9%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 27%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 16.8
New York, New York… what a place filled with confidence! With its vibrant theater scene, numerous art galleries, and elite educational institutions, it’s no wonder this state ranks high on the snobbiest list.
5. New Hampshire
Adults With College Diploma: 36.5%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 23%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 28
New Hampshire earns fifth place with an impressive annual wine consumption of 36.5 bottles per person. While some may be budget-friendly options, many are undoubtedly sophisticated selections.
6. Rhode Island
Adults With College Diploma: 33.3%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 25%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 18.9
Despite being the smallest state, Rhode Island ranks sixth on the snob scale.
7. California
Adults With College Diploma: 33.3%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 26%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 19.7
California is known for its sunny disposition, and it seems to have a smugness issue as well. With a well-educated population and a high number of graduates in humanities, it’s no surprise they also enjoy substantial wine consumption.
8. Oregon
Adults With College Diploma: 32.9%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 26%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 18.8
Oregon, particularly Portland, is home to a number of self-proclaimed snobs. About 32% of residents hold a college degree, with 26% in the arts or humanities.
9. Maine
Adults With College Diploma: 34.9%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 27%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 14.7
What makes Maine so snobby? The fact that 27% of degree holders studied humanities or arts. You can bet they know how to pronounce Matisse.
10. Virginia
Adults With College Diploma: 38.2%
Degree Holders w/ Arts or Humanities Degree: 24%
Wine Bottles Per Person: 15.9
Virginia is the only Southern state to make the top 10 list of snobbiest states. While it may be geographically Southern, its educational attainment aligns more closely with its Northeastern counterparts.
It’s okay to be proud, but don’t be a snob!
The line between pride and snobbiness can be quite thin.
If you find yourself frequently saying, “Actually,” “It’s pronounced,” or “You’ve probably never heard of it but…,” it might be time to reflect on your attitude.
Of course, if you’re not feeling a bit smug about your career, it may be time to seek a new job that gives you that sense of accomplishment—or at least splurge on some nicer wine than Two Buck Chuck!
Snobbiest States
| Rank | State | Adults With College Diploma | Degree Holders W/ Arts Or Humanities Degree | Wine Bottles Per Person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 42 | 24% | 21 |
| 2 | Vermont | 37 | 29% | 26 |
| 3 | Connecticut | 38 | 24% | 19 |
| 4 | New York | 35 | 27% | 16 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 36 | 23% | 28 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 33 | 25% | 18 |
| 7 | California | 33 | 26% | 19 |
| 8 | Oregon | 32 | 26% | 18 |
| 9 | Maine | 34 | 27% | 14 |
| 10 | Virginia | 38 | 24% | 15 |
| 11 | Washington | 35 | 24% | 16 |
| 12 | New Jersey | 38 | 21% | 18 |
| 13 | Maryland | 39 | 23% | 12 |
| 14 | Illinois | 34 | 23% | 14 |
| 15 | Hawaii | 32 | 22% | 18 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 35 | 23% | 14 |
| 17 | Alaska | 29 | 23% | 16 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 30 | 23% | 14 |
| 19 | Idaho | 26 | 22% | 37 |
| 20 | Utah | 33 | 24% | 6 |
| 21 | Colorado | 25 | 23% | 16 |
| 22 | Delaware | 31 | 20% | 23 |
| 23 | Florida | 31 | 20% | 17 |
| 23 | Montana | 31 | 21% | 16 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | 30 | 22% | 10 |
| 26 | Nevada | 24 | 22% | 19 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | 29 | 21% | 12 |
| 28 | Missouri | 28 | 22% | 12 |
| 29 | New Mexico | 27 | 23% | 10 |
| 30 | Arizona | 28 | 21% | 12 |
| 31 | Michigan | 28 | 21% | 13 |
| 32 | Kansas | 32 | 22% | 4 |
| 32 | Louisiana | 23 | 23% | 10 |
| 34 | Tennessee | 26 | 23% | 10 |
| 35 | Georgia | 30 | 21% | 7 |
| 36 | Texas | 29 | 20% | 10 |
| 37 | Nebraska | 31 | 20% | 6 |
| 37 | North Dakota | 29 | 19% | 10 |
| 39 | Kentucky | 23 | 23% | 6 |
| 39 | Ohio | 27 | 21% | 9 |
| 41 | Indiana | 25 | 22% | 9 |
| 41 | South Carolina | 27 | 21% | 8 |
| 43 | Iowa | 28 | 21% | 7 |
| 44 | Wyoming | 26 | 20% | 10 |
| 45 | South Dakota | 28 | 19% | 7 |
| 46 | Alabama | 24 | 20% | 8 |
| 47 | Arkansas | 22 | 20% | 7 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | 25 | 20% | 6 |
| 49 | Mississippi | 21 | 20% | 5 |
| 50 | West Virginia | 20 | 19% | 3 |
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Senior Manager, Product Management Jobs
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
