U.S. News & World Report

{{Short description|American media company and magazine}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''U.S. News & World Report''}}
{{Use American English|date = October 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = October 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ''U.S. News & World Report''
| logo = U.S. News & World Report logo.svg
| founded = {{start date and age|1948}} (merger of ''United States News'' [1933] and ''World Report'' [1946])
| hq_location_city = {{Plain list |
* [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S. ({{small|editorial staff}})
* [[New York City]], U.S. ({{small|advertising, sales}})
}}
| key_people = {{plain list|
* Eric Gertler<br />(CEO)<ref name="2022-pr">{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2022-05-26/eric-gertler-assumes-role-of-chief-executive-officer-of-u-s-news|title=Eric Gertler Assumes Role of Chief Executive Officer of U.S. News|date=May 26, 2022|website=U.S. News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115032911/https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2022-05-26/eric-gertler-assumes-role-of-chief-executive-officer-of-u-s-news|archive-date=November 15, 2022|access-date=May 26, 2022}}</ref>
* Bill Holiber<br />(President)<ref name="masthead">{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/info/features/leadership|title=Leadership|website=U.S. News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115033009/https://www.usnews.com/info/features/leadership|archive-date=November 15, 2022|access-date=May 26, 2022}}</ref>
Dafna Linzner<br />(Editorial Director)<ref name="masthead" />
}}
| products = {{plain list|
* [[U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking|Best Colleges Ranking]]
}}
| owner = U.S. News & World Report, L.P. ([[Mortimer Zuckerman]])
| website = {{URL|usnews.com}}
}}

'''''U.S. News & World Report''''' ('''''US NEWS''''') is an American [[publishing|media company]] publishing news, consumer advice, rankings, and analysis. The company was launched in 1948 as the merger of domestic-focused weekly newspaper ''U.S. News'' and international-focused weekly magazine ''World Report''. In 1995, the company launched its website, ''usnews.com'' and, in 2010, ceased printing its weekly magazine, publishing only its ranking editions in print.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-11|title=Celebrating 85 Years|url=https://www.usnews.com/info/articles/2018/06/11/celebrating-85-years|url-status=live|website=U.S. News & World Report|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115033002/https://www.usnews.com/info/articles/2018/06/11/celebrating-85-years|archive-date=November 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Peters|first=Jeremy W.|date=2010-11-06|title=U.S. News & World Report to End Monthly Publication|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/06/business/media/06mag.html|access-date=2021-07-01|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709191002/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/06/business/media/06mag.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

While criticized by the institutions it reviews, the company's [[U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking|rankings of American colleges and universities]] are widely subscribed to,<ref name="minonline2">{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Steve |date=19 September 2013 |title=U.S. News Pulls Social Levers to Break Records for 'Best Colleges' Package |url=http://www.minonline.com/news/23050.html#.U9fIXfldXTo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123051555/http://www.minonline.com/news/23050.html |archive-date=23 January 2015 |access-date=24 July 2022 |website=min Online}}</ref> and influence college application patterns.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |last1=Luca |first1=Michael |last2=Smith |first2=Jonathan |date=27 September 2011 |title=Salience in Quality Disclosure: Evidence from the U.S. News College Rankings |url=http://leadershiparticles.info/2011/09/salience-in-quality-disclosure-evidence-from-the-u-s-news-college-rankings/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107041503/http://leadershiparticles.info/2011/09/salience-in-quality-disclosure-evidence-from-the-u-s-news-college-rankings/ |archive-date=7 November 2013 |access-date=29 September 2011 |publisher=Leadership and Management}}</ref>

==History==
===20th century===
[[File:Mortimer Zuckerman, January 2013-1.jpg|thumb|[[Mortimer Zuckerman]], who acquired ''U.S. News & World Report'' in October 1984]]
After the closure of ''[[United States Daily]]'', which was published between 1926 and 1933, [[David Lawrence (publisher)|David Lawrence]] (1888–1973) founded the newspaper '''''United States News''''' in 1933, which was converted to magazine format in 1940. 

In 1946, Lawrence founded the magazine ''World Report''. The two magazines covered national and international news separately. In 1948, Lawrence merged them into ''U.S. News & World Report''.<ref>{{cite journal |author=David E. Sumner |title=American winners and losers:2001 to 2010 |journal=International Conference on Communication, Media, Technology and Design |date=May 2012 |url=http://www.cmdconf.net/2012/makale/6.pdf |access-date=June 25, 2016 |location=Istanbul |archive-date=September 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924210704/http://www.cmdconf.net/2012/makale/6.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> He then sold the magazine to his employees. The magazine initially tended to be slightly more [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] than its two primary competitors, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' and ''[[Newsweek]]'', focusing more on economic, health, and education stories. It also eschewed sports, entertainment, and celebrity news.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/620229/US-News-World-Report |title=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=June 24, 2008 |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |year=2008 |archive-date=June 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608022121/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/620229/US-News-World-Report |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Important milestones in the early history of the magazine include the introduction of the "Washington Whispers" column in 1934, and the "News You Can Use" column in 1952.<ref name="about-usnews">{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/info/features/about-usnews|title=About U.S. News & World Report|access-date=July 6, 2017|archive-date=July 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704192420/https://www.usnews.com/info/features/about-usnews|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="usnews-timeline">{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/info/articles/2013/05/17/celebrating-80-years |title=Celebrating 80 Years - US News |access-date=2014-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016005625/http://www.usnews.com/info/articles/2013/05/17/celebrating-80-years |archive-date=2014-10-16 }}</ref> In 1958, the weekly magazine's circulation passed one million reaching two million by 1973.<ref name="about-usnews" />

Since 1983, ''U.S. News & World Report'' has been known primarily for its influential ranking and annual reports of colleges and graduate schools, spanning across most fields and subjects. ''U.S. News & World Report'' is America's oldest and best-known ranker of academic institutions,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/us-news-college-rankings-are-denounced-but-not-ignored/2011/09/02/gIQAn6BzzJ_story.html |title=U.S. News college rankings are denounced but not ignored |access-date=September 4, 2011 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |year=2011 |archive-date=September 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904102810/http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/us-news-college-rankings-are-denounced-but-not-ignored/2011/09/02/gIQAn6BzzJ_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and covers the fields of business, law, medicine, engineering, education, social sciences and public affairs, in addition to many other areas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/rankings |title=U.S. News & World Report: Comprehensive Categories of Academic Institutions |access-date=June 18, 2012 |work=U.S. News & World Report|publisher=U.S. News & World Report, L.P.|year=2012}}</ref> Its print edition consistently has been included in national [[bestseller]] lists, augmented by online subscriptions. Additional rankings published by ''U.S. News & World Report'' include hospitals, medical specialties, and automobiles.

In October 1984, [[New York City]]-based publisher and real estate developer [[Mortimer Zuckerman]] purchased ''U.S. News & World Report''.<ref name="usnews-timeline" /> Zuckerman had owned the ''[[New York Daily News]]''. In 1993, ''U.S. News & World Report'' entered the digital world by providing content to [[CompuServe]] and in 1995 the website usnews.com was launched.

===21st century===
In 2001, the website won a [[National Magazine Awards|National Magazine Award]] for General Excellence Online.<ref name="infoplease">{{cite web|url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0881066.html|title=2001 National Magazine Awards|publisher=Info Please|access-date=May 5, 2023|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216100441/http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0881066.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, ''U.S. News & World Report'' published its first list of the nation's best high schools. Its ranking methodology included state test scores and documented the success of poor and minority students on the exams, and schools' performance in [[Advanced Placement|Advanced Placement exams]].

Beginning in June 2008, the magazine reduced its publication frequency in three steps. In June 2008, citing a decline overall in magazine circulation and advertising, ''U.S. News & World Report'' announced that it would become a [[biweekly]] publication, starting in January 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/business/media/11mag.html |title=U.S. News Plans to Publish Biweekly and Expand Consumer Focus |access-date=June 24, 2008 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=June 11, 2008 |first=Richard |last=Pérez-Peña |archive-date=June 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610053205/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/business/media/11mag.html?_r=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> It hoped advertisers would be attracted to the schedule, which allowed ads to stay on newsstands a week longer. However, five months later the magazine changed its frequency again, becoming monthly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.san&s=94198&Nid=49092&p=966247 |title=Red Ink: 'U.S. News' Goes Monthly, Hearst and Rodale Cut Staff |access-date=June 11, 2008 |work=MediaPost |date=June 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307234522/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.san&s=94198&Nid=49092&p=966247 |archive-date=March 7, 2012 }}</ref> 

In August 2008, ''U.S. News'' expanded and revamped its online opinion section.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/opinion |title=Political Blogs, Opinions, Commentaries and Forums on Current Issues |work=U.S. News & World Report |publisher=U.S. News & World Report, L.P. |access-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-date=July 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719183033/http://www.usnews.com/opinion |url-status=live }}</ref> The new version of the opinion page included daily new op-ed content as well as the new Thomas Jefferson Street blog.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/opinion |title=Political Blogs, Opinions, Commentaries and Forums on Current Issues |work=U.S. News |access-date=June 30, 2013 |archive-date=June 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629170826/http://www.usnews.com/opinion |url-status=live }}</ref> An internal memo was sent to the magazine's staff on November 5, 2010, informing them that the "December issue will be our last print monthly sent to subscribers, whose remaining print and digital replica subscriptions will be filled by other publishers."<ref name="poynter">{{cite web |url=http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=194030 |title=December issue will be our last printed monthly sent to subscribers |access-date=November 5, 2010 |work=Poynter Online |date=November 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106000859/http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=194030 |archive-date=November 6, 2010 }}</ref> The memo said that the publication would be moving to a primarily digital format but that special issues such as "the college and grad guides, as well as hospital and personal finance guides" would be printed.

Prior to ending physical publication in 2010, ''U.S. News'' was generally the third-ranked general United States-based news magazine after ''Time'' and ''Newsweek''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-sacks/americas-best-college-sca_b_45064.html |title=America's Best College Scam |work=[[HuffPost|The Huffington Post]] |publisher=[[AOL]]|date=April 5, 2007 |first=Peter |last=Sacks |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402215319/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-sacks/americas-best-college-sca_b_45064.html |archive-date=April 2, 2011}}</ref> A weekly digital magazine, ''U.S. News Weekly'', introduced in January 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/companies/media/2009/01/23/us-news-launching-digital-newsweekly.html?page=all |title='U.S. News' Launching Digital Newsweekly |access-date=2016-04-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910200336/http://upstart.bizjournals.com/companies/media/2009/01/23/us-news-launching-digital-newsweekly.html?page=all |archive-date=2015-09-10}}</ref> continued to offer subscription content until it stopped publication at the end of April 2015.<ref>''U.S. News Digital Weekly''. 24 April 2015, Vol. 7 Issue 17, p. 15.</ref>

==Ownership==
The company is owned by U.S. News & World Report, L.P., a privately held company with editorial headquarters in [[Washington, D.C.]] and its advertising, sales, and corporate offices in [[New York City]] and [[New Jersey]].<ref name="about-usnews" /> The company's move to the Web made it possible for ''U.S. News & World Report'' to expand its [[service journalism]] with the introduction of several consumer-facing rankings products. 

By the early 2010s, under the leadership of [[Brian Kelly (editor)|Brian Kelly]], the company had returned to profitability, largely through its list model, adopted in 2009, and the ease with which that transferred to online publishing.<ref name="wapo">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/value-added-us-news-and-world-report-returns-to-the-ranks-of-profitability/2013/04/27/2e16c306-ae05-11e2-a986-eec837b1888b_story.html|title=Value Added: U.S. News & World Report returns to the ranks of profitability|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=Apr 28, 2013 |first=Thomas |last=Heath |access-date=March 11, 2017|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312193601/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/value-added-us-news-and-world-report-returns-to-the-ranks-of-profitability/2013/04/27/2e16c306-ae05-11e2-a986-eec837b1888b_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 

The leadership team includes executive chairman Eric Gertler, president and chief executive officer William Holiber, chief financial officer and chief operating officer Neil Maheshwari, and Dafna Linzner, the editorial director. [[Brian Kelly (editor)|Brian Kelly]] was the [[chief content officer]] from April 2007 to August 2019 and Kim Castro was the chief content officer until 2023. The company is owned by media proprietor [[Mortimer Zuckerman]].

==Rankings==
===Who Runs America?===
The first ''U.S. News & World Report''{{'}}s rankings was its "Who Runs America?" surveys. They were published in the spring annually from 1974 to 1986. The magazine cover for each release featured persons selected by the ''USN & WR'' as being the ten most powerful persons in the United States. Each edition of the series listed the [[president of the United States]] as the most powerful person, but the #2 position included people like [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Henry Kissinger]] (1974),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://backissues.com/issue/US-News-and-World-Report-April-22-1974|title=U.S. News & World Report April 22, 1974 – Product Details |website=backissues.com |access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220122934/http://backissues.com/issue/US-News-and-World-Report-April-22-1974|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Chair of the Federal Reserve|Federal Reserve Chairmen]] [[Paul Volcker]] and [[Arthur Burns]] (each listed multiple years), and [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]] [[Edward Kennedy]] (1979).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://backissues.com/issue/US-News-and-World-Report-April-16-1979|title=U.S. News & World Report April 16, 1979 – Product Details |website=backissues.com |access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220121143/http://backissues.com/issue/US-News-and-World-Report-April-16-1979|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most of the top ten each year were government officials; occasionally others were included like TV anchormen [[Walter Cronkite]] and [[Dan Rather]], [[Chase Manhattan Bank]] Chairman [[David Rockefeller]], [[AFL–CIO]] leader [[George Meany]], and consumer advocate [[Ralph Nader]]. The only woman to make the top ten list was First Lady [[Rosalynn Carter]] in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://backissues.com/issue/US-News-and-World-Report-April-14-1980|website=backissues.com |title=U.S. News & World Report April 14, 1980 – Product Details|access-date=December 6, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220122253/http://backissues.com/issue/US-News-and-World-Report-April-14-1980|url-status=dead }}</ref>

In addition to these overall top ten persons, the publication also included top persons in each of several fields, including education, business, finance, journalism, and other areas. The survey was discontinued after its 1986 edition.

=== Best Colleges ===
{{U.S. News top 10}}
{{Main|U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking}}
{{Excerpt|U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking|hat=no}}

===Best Global Universities===
{{main|U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking}}
In October 2014, ''U.S. News & World Report'' published its inaugural "Best Global Universities" rankings.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/articles/overview |title=U.S. News Releases Inaugural Best Global Universities Rankings |website=US News |date=Oct 28, 2014 |first= Devon |last=Haynie |access-date=2014-10-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030044444/http://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/articles/overview |archive-date=2014-10-30 }}</ref> ''[[Inside Higher Ed]]'' noted that ''U.S. News'' was entering into the international college and university rankings area which was "dominated by three major global university rankings", namely the ''[[Times Higher Education World University Rankings]]'', the ''[[Academic Ranking of World Universities]]'', and the ''[[QS World University Rankings]]''.<ref name="HigherEd">{{cite web | title='U.S. News' to Issue New Global University Rankings | url=https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2014/10/10/us-news-issue-new-global-university-rankings | publisher=[[Inside Higher Ed]] |date=October 9, 2014 | first=Elizabeth |last=Redden | access-date=May 5, 2023 | archive-date=April 27, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427051914/https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2014/10/10/us-news-issue-new-global-university-rankings | url-status=live }}</ref> Robert Morse, "U.S. News's chief data strategist," said that "it's natural for ''U.S. News'' to get into this space".<ref name="HigherEd" /> He said that ''U.S. News'' "will also be the first American publisher to enter the global rankings space".<ref name="HigherEd" />

===Best Hospitals===
{{main|U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Rankings}}
Since 1990, ''U.S. News & World Report'' has compiled Best Hospitals rankings.<ref name="best-hospitals">{{cite web | url=http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals | title= U.S. News Best Hospitals | publisher=U.S. News & World Report | access-date=2014-10-15 | archive-date=July 17, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717114343/http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals | url-status=live }}</ref> The rankings are specifically based on a different methodology which looks at difficult ([[Rapid response team (medicine)|high acuity]]) cases within 16 specialties including [[cancer]]; [[diabetes]] and [[endocrinology]]; [[ear, nose and throat|ear, nose, and throat]]; [[gastroenterology]], [[geriatrics]], [[gynecology]]; [[cardiology|heart]] and [[cardiac surgery|heart surgery]]; [[kidney disorders]]; [[neurology]] and [[neurosurgery]]; [[ophthalmology]], [[orthopedics]], [[psychiatry]], [[pulmonology]], [[Physical medicine and rehabilitation|rehabilitation]], [[rheumatology]], and [[urology]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Lowes | first = Robert | title = Joint Commission's Top-Hospital List Still Missing Big Names | publisher = Medscape Medical News | url = http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/771280 | date = 2012-09-20 | access-date = May 5, 2023 | archive-date = April 25, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230425235337/https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/771280 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Comarow">{{cite web | last = Comarow | first = Avery | title = A Look Inside the Hospital Rankings | publisher = U.S. News & World Report | url = http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/best-hospitals/2008/07/10/a-look-inside-the-hospital-rankings.html | date = 2008-07-10 | access-date = September 14, 2008 | archive-date = September 15, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080915000036/http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/best-hospitals/2008/07/10/a-look-inside-the-hospital-rankings.html | url-status = live }}</ref> In addition to rankings for each of these specialties, hospitals that excel in many ''U.S. News'' areas are ranked in the Honor Roll.<ref name="best-hospitals"/>

===Best Cars===
Since 2007, ''U.S. News'' has used an innovative ranking system for new and used [[automobiles]]. The rankings span over 30 classes of [[car]]s, [[truck]]s, [[Sport utility vehicle|SUV]]s, [[minivan]]s, [[wagon]]s, and [[sports car]]s. Each automobile receives an overall score and a performance, interior, and recommendation score rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent on a 1–10 scale. Scores are based on the consensus opinion of America's trusted automotive experts, as well as reliability and safety data.<ref>[https://cars.usnews.com/methodology How We Rank New Cars | U.S. News Best Cars] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401134614/https://cars.usnews.com/methodology |date=April 1, 2018 }}. cars.usnews.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-12.</ref> ''U.S. News'' also produces annual "Best Cars for the Money" and "Best Cars for Families" awards across approximately 20 classes of cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans. Money award winners are derived by combining vehicle price and five-year cost of ownership with the opinion of the automotive press,<ref>Page, Jamie. (2014-02-12) [https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-for-the-money Best Cars for the Money Awards 2014 | U.S. News Best Cars] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312000000/http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Best-Cars-for-the-Money/ |date=March 12, 2009 }}. cars.usnews.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-12.</ref> while family awards are tabulated by combining critics' opinions with the vehicle's availability of family-friendly features and interior space, as well as safety and reliability data. Money and family award winners are announced in February and March of each year, respectively.<ref>Page, Jamie. (2014-03-12) [https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-for-families Best Cars for Families Awards 2014 | U.S. News Best Cars] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320165421/https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/best-cars-for-families |date=March 20, 2019 }}. cars.usnews.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-12.</ref>

===Best States===
[[File:Map, USA, states, education ranking 2019 - U.S. News & World Report.svg|thumb|Education ranking of state residents as of 2019: <span style="background:#00ff00">01-10</span>, <span style="background:#ffff00">11-20</span>, <span style="color:#808000">21-30</span>, <span style="color:#ff0000">31-40</span>, <span style="color:#800000">41-50</span>]]
In 2017, ''U.S. News'' published its first ranking of all 50 [[U.S. state]]s, incorporating metrics in seven categories: health care, education, crime and corrections, infrastructure, opportunity, economy, and government. The weighting of the individual categories in determining overall rank was informed by surveys on what matters most to residents. [[Massachusetts]] occupied the top rank, and [[Louisiana]] ranked worst.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://media.beam.usnews.com/b5/c5/ecf250de4930b201f74063d5150e/171206-best-states-overall-rankings-2017.pdf
|title=Best States 2017
|year=2018
|publisher=U.S. News & World Report
|access-date=2020-01-17
|archive-date=February 3, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203173814/https://media.beam.usnews.com/b5/c5/ecf250de4930b201f74063d5150e/171206-best-states-overall-rankings-2017.pdf
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

In 2018, the eight categories were: health care, education, economy, opportunity, infrastructure, crime and corrections, fiscal stability, and quality of life. [[Iowa]] was ranked first, and [[Louisiana]] ranked worst.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://media.beam.usnews.com/ba/b2/c75f31c94080b1d8a17931bcddd0/171206-best-states-overall-rankings-2018.pdf
|title=Best States 2018
|year=2018
|publisher=U.S. News & World Report
|access-date=2020-01-17
|archive-date=February 3, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203173838/https://media.beam.usnews.com/ba/b2/c75f31c94080b1d8a17931bcddd0/171206-best-states-overall-rankings-2018.pdf
|url-status=live
}}</ref> In 2019, natural environment replaced the quality of life category. [[Washington (state)|Washington]] occupied the top rank, and [[Louisiana]] ranked worst.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://media.beam.usnews.com/69/4f/9ec3a3e94c4080b146d64d27288a/190508-best-states-overall-rankings-2019.pdf
|title=Best States 2019
|year=2019
|publisher=U.S. News & World Report
|access-date=2020-01-17
|archive-date=January 16, 2020
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116034703/https://media.beam.usnews.com/69/4f/9ec3a3e94c4080b146d64d27288a/190508-best-states-overall-rankings-2019.pdf
|url-status=live
}}</ref>

No ranking was published in 2020. In 2021, [[Washington (state)|Washington]], [[Minnesota]], and [[Utah]] topped the list; [[New Mexico]], [[Mississippi]], and [[Louisiana]] were ranked as the worst.<ref>{{Cite web
|url=https://www.usnews.com/media/best-states/overall-rankings-2021.pdf 
|title=Best States 2021
|year=2021
|publisher=U.S. News & World Report
|access-date=2022-07-31}}
</ref>

==See also==
{{Portalbar|United States|Journalism}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category|U.S. News & World Report}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:U.S. News and World Report}}
[[Category:U.S. News & World Report| ]]
[[Category:Biweekly magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Magazines disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Magazines established in 1933]]
[[Category:Magazines published in Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:News magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Online magazines published in the United States]]
[[Category:Online magazines with defunct print editions]]