Those who may have wondered how New Jersey managed to make it to the top in 2008 can rest on their skepticism, because New Hampshire has toppled the Garden State this year.

In calculating this year’s weightings, we found some significant changes in how states pitch themselves as an attractive prospective home to business, which probably reflects stark changes, so we've adjusted our ranking formula, as well.

In our third annual look at the states that put it all together for business, Virginia is back in the No.1 spot, while last year's winner Texas falls to second.

We'll be revealing those at the top of the rankings, culminating with the 2009 winner. Tune in to find out which state  is No. 1 at  around 2:30 p.m. ET on  "Street Signs ."

In ranking the states, we scored all 50 on more than 40 measures of competitiveness, which were then separated into ten broad categories, such as cost of doing business, workforce and quality of life.

From unemployment to taxes, economic conditions will play a big role in the rankings of CNBC’s third annual America’s Top States For Business study due out Thursday, July 23.

With their endowments ravaged by the financial markets and more students clamoring for assistance, private colleges like Reed are making numerous changes this year in staff, students, tuition and classes that they hope will tide them over without harming their reputations or their educational goals.

So what kind of teachers could a school get if it paid them $125,000 a year?

The math is ugly. Financial aid is going down at many schools, just when more students need it more than ever.  Don't despair, though. There are ways  to make the grade.

If the bad job market has you thinking about going back to school for an advanced degree, here's some tips on federal student loan programs.

Obama is calling for a sweeping $18 billion proposal covering birth to higher education. It includes reforms for teaching, funds for pre-school programs, college tax credits as well as revamping the college student loan system.

President Barack Obama is trying to remake the government’s lending  program by eliminating the middle man, which will mean funding for students.

Leaders of historically black colleges say they'll fight a reduction in a federal program they call a financial lifeline at a time of economic distress for the schools and their students.

President Barack Obama said Friday there have been "somewhat encouraging" improvements in the country's stricken labor markets, but the rate of joblessness is "still a sobering toll."