New York City, often hailed as the "Big Apple," is a dynamic metropolis that offers a plethora of opportunities and experiences. From its world - class education institutions to its vibrant real estate and tourism sectors, there's always something new and exciting happening in the city. In 2025, several new rankings have been released that shed light on different aspects of life in New York. This article will explore these rankings, including those related to the state's overall performance, high schools, colleges, and the best places to live.
New York State's Overall Ranking
According to US News Best States, New York ranks #20 in overall rankings. This comprehensive ranking takes into account various factors that contribute to the state's standing. Let's delve deeper into the key aspects and how New York fares in each category.
Key State Statistics
New York has an area of 54,559 square miles, with a GDP of $2,053 billion. A significant 48.8% of its population is college - educated, and it has a population of 19,677,151. The capital of the state is Albany, and the median income stands at $43,462. These statistics provide a baseline understanding of the state's economic and demographic landscape.
Rankings in Different Categories
| Category | Rank |
|---|---|
| Crime & Corrections | #11 |
| Economy | #45 |
| Education | #9 |
| Fiscal Stability | #29 |
| Health Care | #9 |
| Infrastructure | #28 |
| Natural Environment | #2 |
| Opportunity | #49 |
New York performs well in some areas like natural environment and education, but lags behind in others such as economy and opportunity. In the crime & corrections category, with a rank of #11, it has relatively good outcomes in corrections and public safety. For example, its incarceration rate is 154 per 100k residents compared to the national rate of 307, and the juvenile incarceration rate is 33 per 100k juveniles compared to the national 66. In terms of economic ranking at #45, it faces challenges in business environment, employment, and growth. The venture capital per GDP is $11.8 per $1k GDP compared to the national $7.65, but it has a negative job growth of - 1.0% and a negative net migration of - 0.9% while the national averages are 0.2% and 0.1% respectively.
High School Rankings in New York
New York is home to some of the best high schools in the country. US News & World Report and other sources regularly release high school rankings based on multiple criteria. These rankings are important for students and parents as they help in making informed decisions about education.
2024 High School Rankings by US News & World Report
In 2024, the rankings included nearly 2,000 public high schools in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut combined. In New York, many of the top - ranked high schools are located in New York City, with all five boroughs being represented.
- Queens High School for the Sciences at York College: Ranked highly both in the state and nationally. It came in 25th in the national rankings and is a top - tier school in Queens. Students here have access to a high - quality education and advanced academic opportunities.
- Stuyvesant High School: Located in Manhattan, it also holds a prominent position, coming in 26th in the national rankings. The school has a long - standing reputation for academic excellence and offers a challenging curriculum.
- High School Math Science and Engineering at CCNY: Situated in Manhattan, this school focuses on math, science, and engineering, preparing students for careers in these fields. It is one of the leading high schools in the state.
- Bronx High School of Science: With a strong emphasis on science education, it is well - known throughout the country. Students at this school often go on to pursue top - tier colleges and successful careers in science - related fields.
- Staten Island Technical High School: It provides a well - rounded education with a focus on technical and technological fields, making it a great choice for students interested in these areas.
Overall, nine New York City public schools made it into the top 100 US high schools in the country. On Long Island, Jericho Senior High School is the highest - ranked school, coming in 11th in the state, followed by others like Garden City High School and Manhasset Secondary School. Outside of New York City and Long Island, schools such as Edgemont Junior - Senior High School in Scarsdale and Bronxville High School in Bronxville also rank highly.
How the High Schools are Ranked
US News & World Report looks at six factors when determining high - school rankings:
- College Readiness: Accounts for 30% of the ranking. This includes factors like the number of students taking advanced courses and their performance on standardized tests related to college - level work.
- State Assessment Proficiency: Contributes 20% to the ranking. It measures how well students perform on state - mandated assessments.
- State Assessment Performance: Also 20% of the ranking, it assesses the overall academic performance of students in the state - required tests.
- Underserved Student Performance: 10% of the ranking. This factor evaluates how well the school is serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- College Curriculum Breadth: 10% of the ranking. It looks at the variety of college - level courses offered by the school.
- Graduation Rate: 10% of the ranking. A high graduation rate indicates that the school is successful in keeping students on track to complete their high - school education.
College Rankings in New York
New York has a rich selection of colleges and universities, ranging from Ivy League institutions to public state universities. The 2024 best colleges in New York rankings by U.S. News offer insights into the top - performing higher - education institutions in the state.
Top - Ranked Colleges
| College | Location | Tuition | Undergraduate Enrollment (Fall 2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University | New York, NY | $65,524 | N/A |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | $66,014 | 15,735 |
| New York University | New York, NY | $60,438 | 29,401 |
| University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | $64,384 | 6,767 |
| Stony Brook University - SUNY | Stony Brook, NY | $10,560 (in - state) | 17,509 |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Troy, NY | $61,884 | 5,895 |
| Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY | $63,061 | 15,421 |
| Binghamton University - SUNY | Binghamton, NY | $28,203 (out - of - state), $10,363 (in - state) | 14,402 |
| University at Buffalo - SUNY | Buffalo, NY | $30,571 (out - of - state), $10,781 (in - state) | 20,761 |
| Fordham University | New York, NY | $61,567 | 10,098 |
Columbia University and Cornell University, both part of the Ivy League, are among the most prestigious institutions. Columbia, located in the heart of New York City, offers a wide range of academic programs and research opportunities. Cornell, in Ithaca, is known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and the humanities. Public universities like Stony Brook University - SUNY, Binghamton University - SUNY, and University at Buffalo - SUNY provide more affordable options for in - state students while still maintaining high - quality education standards.
Best Places to Live in New York
Deciding where to live in New York can be a challenging decision. The 2024 Best Places to Live in New York rankings by Niche offer valuable information based on various factors such as public schools, safety, and community amenities.
Top Neighborhoods and Suburbs
- Great Neck Plaza: A suburb of New York City, it is rated highly for its dog - friendly and charming environment. It has many parks and restaurants, and its library is a popular place for residents to work. The overall niche grade is an A +, and it has excellent public schools.
- Hell's Kitchen: A neighborhood in New York City, it is known for its homey and cozy atmosphere. It is family - friendly, with local conveniences like a Target nearby. The neighborhood has an A + overall niche grade, although its public schools have a B + grade.
- Great Neck Gardens: Another suburb near New York City, it offers a high - quality living experience with an A + overall niche grade and great public schools.
- Kensington: A suburb with a pleasant environment, good public schools, and an A + overall niche grade.
- Ardsley: Residents here enjoy a clean and quiet environment with many parks and trails. It is a great place for families looking for high - quality education and a peaceful suburban lifestyle.
Each of these places has its unique appeal, whether it's the vibrant city life in neighborhoods like Hell's Kitchen or the quiet suburban charm of places like Great Neck Plaza. The rankings take into account the opinions of current residents, which adds an element of real - world experience to the assessment.
Conclusion
In 2025, the new rankings in New York City cover a wide range of aspects, from the state's overall performance to the best high schools, colleges, and places to live. New York shows both strengths and areas for improvement. It excels in natural environment and education but faces challenges in the economy and opportunity sectors. The high - school rankings highlight the many excellent educational institutions in the state, especially in New York City. Similarly, the college rankings showcase the diverse and high - quality higher - education options available. The best - places - to - live rankings offer insights for those considering relocating to different parts of the state.
If you're a student, parent, or someone looking to move to New York, these rankings can serve as a valuable guide. Take the time to explore the different rankings in detail, research the institutions or places that interest you, and make an informed decision that suits your needs and goals. Share this article with others who might find it useful and continue to explore more about the dynamic world of New York City and the state.
