Introduction: Low IQ has been associated with difficulties in different areas of life, among which is academic performance. It should be considered that this association is usually not detected until late stages and can occur in university students. Objetive This study sought to determine the strength of association between IQ and academic performance in a group of first-semester students from the psychology program of a private university in the department of Sucre, Colombia. Materials and Methods: For this, a cross-sectional, correlational research was carried out with a non-probabilistic sample composed of 114 students. The IQ was evaluated with the WAIS-IV test and its correlation (Spearman's rho) with the students' grades in the different subjects taken in the 2018-I semester was analyzed. Results: It was found that 39% of the student is located in the borderline intelligence range and 1% in the intellectual disability range. A low positive correlation (p≤.05) could be seen between the IQ and four of the six subjects taken, as well as with the global academic average of the students. Conclusions: The low results are due to cultural aspects and not to the prevalence of an intellectual detriment. The foregoing confirms the need to implement measures with adapted scales and culturally adapted education programs for this type of population, in the country's higher education institutions