Where Illinois ranks among best states in country in list by U.S. News & World Report

CHICAGO (WGN) — Illinois improved its ranking, albeit slightly, among U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best States in the U.S. list.

The U.S. News’ 2025 report, released on Tuesday, May 6, ranks Illinois 36th out of all 50 states. The Prairie State finished 38th overall on the U.S. News 2024 Best States list. In 2023, Illinois also ranked No. 36.

U.S. News’ rankings factor in the state’s crime and corrections, economy, education, fiscal stability, health care, infrastructure, natural environment, and opportunity. Regarding Illinois, the Land of Lincoln ranked among the top 15 in two specific categories: crimes and corrections (No. 15) and education (No. 14). Among the various categories considered, Illinois ranked among the best states for childhood education (pre-K through 12 grade), finishing fourth overall.

Illinois ranked last among all states in fiscal stability (No. 50) and 45th overall in natural environment. The state’s ranking in pollution and air and water quality (No. 41) contributed to this level.

U.S. News named Utah the best state in their rankings for a third consecutive year, citing a “reputational renaissance in recent decades.”

Idaho, Minnesota, and Nebraska fared the best of all the Midwestern states, ranking third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, on U.S. News & World Report’s list.  The state of Louisiana again finished last among U.S. News’ 2025 ranking. The full report and methodology can be found here.

The 10 best states in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report, include:

• 1.) Utah
• 2.) New Hampshire
• 3.) Idaho
• 4.) Minnesota
• 5.) Nebraska
• 6.) Florida
• 7.) Vermont
• 8.) South Dakota
• 9.) Massachusetts
• 10.) Washington

The lowest-ranked states in the U.S. include:

• 50.) Louisiana
• 49.) Alaska
• 48.) Mississippi
• 47.) New Mexico
• 46.) West Virginia
• 44.) Alabama
• 43.) Michigan
• 42.) Oklahoma
• 41.) Pennsylvania