Ohio was ranked 36th in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best States list, a slight improvement from its 37th place last year. This ranking considers various categories such as healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure, and more, using thousands of data points to evaluate each state’s performance.
Ohio’s performance was mixed across these categories. The state ranked 37th in healthcare, reflecting ongoing issues with access and quality of care. In education, Ohio came in at 29th, indicating moderate success in higher education but lagging behind in K-12 outcomes. The state’s economy ranked 39th, highlighting persistent challenges in job growth and economic stability, which continue to hinder overall progress.
On a positive note, Ohio performed better in infrastructure, ranking 20th. This is likely due to significant investments in transportation and energy infrastructure, which have strengthened this aspect of the state’s profile. However, these improvements were not enough to substantially elevate Ohio’s overall ranking, as the state continues to face significant challenges in other areas.
Ohio’s leaders have acknowledged these rankings, emphasizing ongoing efforts to address the state’s weaknesses, particularly in healthcare and economic development. The report serves as a reminder that while there have been areas of progress, significant work remains to elevate Ohio’s standing nationally.
The complete details of Ohio’s rankings can be explored further in the full U.S. News & World Report available online, which provides a comprehensive breakdown of how the state compares across all categories.