By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
The term three-peat is typically used within an athletic context, referring to three consecutive championships. It conjures images of Michael Jordan and the 90s Chicago Bulls, and Kobe Bryant and the early 2000s Lakers. As a state, Utah has now reached this three-peat threshold, as for the third consecutive year, it has been named the best state in America by the U.S. News and World Report.
The yearly rankings are determined through 71 metrics divided into eight categories: health care, education, economy, infrastructure, opportunity, fiscal stability, crime and corrections, and natural environment. Within these categories, Utah ranked:
- 14th in health care
- 4th in education
- 3rd in economy
- 3rd in infrastructure
- 19th in opportunity
- 1st in fiscal stability
- 7th in crime and corrections
- 48th in natural environment
Compared to 2024’s rankings, Utah saw drops in education, opportunity and natural environment. However, the state rose five spots in fiscal stability and two in crime and corrections.
“From our strong economy to our top‑tier educational institutions, Utahns continue to show the nation how service, faith, freedom, and opportunity are foundational to success,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox in a social media post. “I’m grateful to stand with you as we keep building the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Three‑peat! Utah was just ranked #1 overall in the @USNews Best States assessment for the third year in a row. From our strong economy to our top‑tier educational institutions, Utahns continue to show the nation how service, faith, freedom, and opportunity are foundational to… pic.twitter.com/mC9vfDwuqs
— Governor Cox (@GovCox) May 6, 2025
New Hampshire, Idaho, Minnesota and Nebraska rounded out the top five. For the second year in a row, the publication ranked Louisiana last.