These are the 10 most innovative states in the U.S.

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 55.63 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 9 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment rank: 6 (out of 51)

Delaware ranked in the top five states for highest share of technology companies and highest research & development spending per capita.

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 57.84 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 8 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment rank: 5 (out of 51)

Utah ranked fifth overall in states with the best eighth grade math and science performance.

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 61.87 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 3 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment: 15 (out of 51)

Virginia was tied for first, with D.C., for the highest projected STEM job demand by 2020. Virginia also ranked in the top five for the highest share of technology companies, and the fastest average internet speed.

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 62.04 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 7 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment rank: 2 (out of 51)

California is tied for the No. 1 spot, with Massachusetts and D.C., for the highest venture capital funding per capita. As the home of Silicon Valley, it makes sense that the state also ranks first for the number of invention patents per capita, according to WalletHub.

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 63.35 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 6 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment rank: 4 (out of 51)

With Pennsylvania, Colorado comes in at the top for the best eighth grade math and science performance. Colorado is also in the top five rankings for the highest share of technology companies and highest share of STEM professionals.

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 64.06 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 5 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment rank: 7 (out of 51)

With its close proximity to the nation's capital, Maryland ranks highly in a number of key areas. This includes No. 2 for fastest average internet speed and highest share of STEM professionals, and No. 3 for highest share of technology companies.

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 67.47 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 1 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment rank: 17 (out of 51)

The nation's capital beats all 50 U.S. states in a number of areas: It has the highest share of technology companies (8.4%), the highest share of STEM professionals, and the highest share of science and engineering graduates aged 25+. D.C. is also tied for the highest venture capital funding per capita, the highest R&D spending per capita, and the highest projected demand for STEM jobs by 2020.

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 68.03 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 4 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment rank: 3 (out of 51)

Washington is home to major tech companies, including Amazon and Microsoft. It's no surprise, then, that Washington places in the top five in categories including highest venture capital funding per capita, highest share of STEM professionals, and share of households with internet access (84.3%).

WalletHub State Innovation Index: 72.31 (out of 100)

Human Capital rank: 2 (out of 51)

Innovation Environment rank: 1 (out of 51)

Massachusetts houses headquarters for major innovative companies like Dell and General Electric. Its prestigious colleges, including Harvard and MIT, serve as breeding grounds for some of the top tech talent of the future.