Iowa Climbs in U.S. News Rankings, Highlighting State's Strengths
Iowa has been ranked 12th in the U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best States list, climbing two spots from the previous year. The rankings evaluate states across eight categories, including education, health care, economy, and infrastructure. Iowa's high scores in these areas reflect its strong performance, particularly in opportunity and fiscal stability. The rankings are based on metrics and surveys of over 56,000 people regarding their satisfaction with their state's performance. Iowa's role in American politics, notably through the Iowa Caucuses, is also highlighted. 
