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Although rankings are easy to understand, manipulating multiple measures to produce a single number (the ranking) can distort important differences between states. The present research addresses whether these rankings provide a reliable source for peer and aspirant groups. Analysis of two popular scorecards—the State New Economy Index and the State Technology and Science Index—shows that rankings provide only a broad picture of a state's relative standing. Clustering techniques based on self-organizing maps give a more refined view, better suited for policy analysis.