by Pennsylvania has once again slipped in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings, landing at a troubling #41 overall in 2025. The state, long considered average, now ranks among the bottom 10 in the nation, signaling deeper concerns in infrastructure, education, and governance.
Despite being one of the most historic and populous states, Pennsylvania continues to trend downward since rankings began in 2017.
📉 What Happened
In the latest U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best States Rankings, Pennsylvania fell one spot from last year’s position, sliding from #40 to #41.
The rankings are based on 71 performance metrics across key categories including healthcare, education, infrastructure, the economy, fiscal stability, and more.
🔍 Key Details
| Category | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Overall | #41 |
| Education | #39 |
| Infrastructure | #43 |
| Fiscal Stability | #39 |
- 2025’s rankings use data current as of March 2025.
- Pennsylvania ranks last among all northeastern states.
- It is also last among the four U.S. commonwealths, trailing Massachusetts, Virginia, and Kentucky.
- Neighboring states such as New Jersey (#19) significantly outperform Pennsylvania.
đź’¬ Reactions and Commentary
Governor Josh Shapiro previously touted fast action on infrastructure—most notably the rapid repair of a Philadelphia bridge in 2023—yet Pennsylvania still ranks poorly in that category.
Despite record education spending in recent years and a 2023 court mandate for equitable funding, the state remains in the bottom tier for public education outcomes.
Meanwhile, Republican legislators continue to emphasize fiscal restraint, yet the state’s ranking in fiscal stability remains dismal.
Columnist John Baer pointedly criticized the state’s legislative body, which remains the largest full-time legislature in the nation with a $439 million annual cost and a $300 million surplus—raising questions about priorities and performance.
🔎 What’s Next?
As Pennsylvania lawmakers work on the 2025–26 state budget, experts and critics are calling for:
- Balanced budgets without structural deficits
- Sustainable investments in infrastructure and education
- Government reforms to improve efficiency and reduce bloat
The rankings should serve as a call to action, not just another statistic. Continued neglect may cement the state’s bottom-tier status for years to come.
âť“ FAQs
Q: What is the U.S. News & World Report Best States ranking based on?
A: It uses 71 metrics across areas like healthcare, education, economy, infrastructure, and public safety.
Q: How has Pennsylvania’s ranking changed since 2017?
A: It fell from #30 in 2017 to #41 in 2025, steadily declining nearly every year.
Q: Which states rank highest in 2025?
A: Top performers include Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota, and Nebraska.
Q: What are Pennsylvania’s lowest-ranked categories?
A: Infrastructure (#43), education (#39), and fiscal stability (#39) are key problem areas.
Q: What can be done to improve Pennsylvania’s ranking?
A: Sustainable policy changes in budgeting, education reform, and infrastructure investment are critical.
đź“Ś Final Takeaway
Pennsylvania’s #41 ranking in 2025 underscores ongoing systemic issues that require bold, bipartisan solutions. While the state boasts rich history and cultural significance, without modern reforms, it risks continued decline.
Policymakers must address foundational problems now to reverse course and rebuild Pennsylvania’s standing among the states.
