U.S. News & World Report: A Legacy of News and Influence
U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) is a prominent American media company renowned for its news, consumer advice, and highly influential rankings. From its origins as a mid-century news magazine to its current status as a digital powerhouse, the company has shaped how millions of people choose their colleges, hospitals, and even where they live.
The company was officially launched in 1948 through the merger of two distinct publications: U.S. News, which focused on domestic affairs, and World Report, which specialized in international news. This combination created a comprehensive source of analysis that avoided the celebrity gossip and sports coverage common in its contemporaries, focusing instead on economics, health, and education.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1948 (via merger of 1933 and 1946 publications).
- Ownership: Owned by Mortimer Zuckerman.
- Core Products: Best Colleges, Best Hospitals, Best Cars, and Best States rankings.
- Digital Shift: Launched usnews.com in 1995 and ceased weekly print news magazines in 2010.
- Headquarters: Editorial staff in Washington, D.C.; advertising and sales in New York City.
The Evolution of a Media Giant
20th Century Foundations
The roots of the company trace back to 1933, when David Lawrence founded the newspaper United States News. By 1940, it transitioned into a magazine format. Lawrence later founded World Report in 1946, merging the two in 1948 before selling the entity to its employees. The publication gained early fame for its "Washington Whispers" column (1934) and the "News You Can Use" column (1952).
By 1973, circulation had reached two million. However, the company's identity shifted significantly in 1983 when it began publishing influential annual reports on colleges and graduate schools. This established USNWR as the oldest and most recognized ranker of academic institutions in the United States.
The Digital Transition and 21st Century
In October 1984, real estate developer and publisher Mortimer Zuckerman acquired the company. Under his ownership, the company embraced the digital age, providing content to CompuServe in 1993 and launching usnews.com in 1995. The website's quality was recognized in 2001 with a National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online.
The late 2000s saw a strategic pivot. Due to declining print circulation and advertising, the magazine moved from weekly to biweekly in 2009, then to monthly, and finally ceased its weekly news magazine print run entirely in 2010. Today, the company operates primarily as a digital entity, though it continues to print special editions for its high-demand guides.
The Power of the Rankings
U.S. News & World Report is perhaps best known for its data-driven rankings, which provide benchmarks across various sectors of society.
Academic and Global Rankings
The Best Colleges rankings cover business, law, medicine, engineering, and social sciences. In 2007, the company expanded into high school rankings, utilizing state test scores and Advanced Placement (AP) exam performance. In 2014, it entered the international arena with the "Best Global Universities" rankings, becoming the first American publisher to do so.
Healthcare and Consumer Guides
Since 1990, the company has published Best Hospitals rankings. These are based on a high-acuity methodology—evaluating the most difficult cases—across 16 specialties, including cancer, neurology, and cardiology. Hospitals excelling in multiple areas are placed on the Honor Roll.
In the automotive sector, USNWR has ranked new and used cars since 2007. These rankings use a combination of critic opinions, reliability data, and safety metrics to produce overall scores, as well as specialized awards like "Best Cars for the Money" and "Best Cars for Families."
State-Level Analysis
Launched in 2017, the Best States rankings evaluate all 50 U.S. states. The methodology incorporates metrics such as health care, education, infrastructure, and economy. Over the years, states like Massachusetts, Iowa, and Washington have held the top spot, while Louisiana has consistently ranked lowest.
Company Overview Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| CEO | Eric Gertler |
| Co-Presidents | Chris DiCosmo and Chad Smolinski |
| Editorial Director | Dafna Linzner |
| Primary Website | usnews.com |
| Key Ranking Areas | Education, Healthcare, Automotive, State Quality of Life |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did U.S. News & World Report stop printing its weekly magazine?
The company ceased printing its weekly news magazine in 2010, transitioning to a primarily digital format while maintaining print versions for special ranking guides.
How are the Best Hospitals rankings determined?
The rankings are based on a methodology that analyzes high-acuity (difficult) cases across 16 different medical specialties.
Who currently owns U.S. News & World Report?
The company is owned by media proprietor Mortimer Zuckerman.
What was the "Who Runs America?" survey?
Published annually from 1974 to 1986, this survey identified the ten most powerful people in the United States, typically featuring the U.S. President at the top.
What metrics are used to rank the Best States?
The rankings use various categories including health care, education, crime and corrections, infrastructure, opportunity, economy, government, and the natural environment.