Massachusetts, fueled by its higher-education institutions and an unemployment rate that is almost two points below the national average, was once again recognized as the top state for innovation with a total score of 94.82.
California and Washington followed Massachusetts in the rankings.
New Jersey’s finish marks the second consecutive year the state has received a top five ranking (fourth ranked in 2015).
New Jersey’s rank was tops among the tri state area, as well as its neighboring states.
The Bloomberg Innovation Index rates each of the fifty states in six different categories: research and development Intensity, productivity, high-tech density, concentration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics employment, science and engineering degree holders and patent activity.
Each state is awarded points on a 0-100 scale in each category.
New Jersey finished with a total score of 80.17, scoring highest in tech company density where the state ranked fifth.
The Garden State finished in the top 15 in each of the remaining five categories, including the tenth ranking in science and engineering degree holders.
A full list of the 2016 U.S. Bloomberg State Innovation Index can be found here.