Ranking The Presidents From Best To Worst

Hail To The Chiefs (Some Of Them)

It's one of the hardest jobs in the world, as well as the most powerful, and as of 2025, 45 men have done it (no women yet)—some a whole lot better than others.

Methodology

Over the decades, there have been many attempts to rank the presidents and rather than pick one, we've picked the three most recent and comprehensive rankings and used them all to create a most thorough ranking from best to worst (based on the president's average position on all three).

American Political Science Association (APSA): The poll of political scientists specializing in the American presidency has been taken in 2015, 2018, and 2024 (we have used the 2024 results for this ranking).

Siena College Research Institute: The Siena ranking is determined by surveys collected from historians, political scientists, and presidential scholars in a range of attributes, abilities, and accomplishments. They have conducted seven such rankings since 1982. For our purposes, we have used their 2022 rankings.

C-SPAN: The C-SPAN Survey of Presidential Leadership asks historians and biographers to rank each president in 10 categories of presidential leadership: Public Persuasion, Crisis Leadership, Economic Management, Moral Authority, International Relations, Administrative Skills, Relations with Congress, Vision/Setting An Agenda, Pursued Equal Justice for All, and Performance Within the Context of His Times. The 2021 survey is the one we will be using here.

 AgnosticPreachersKid, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

1: Abraham Lincoln

Served: March 4, 1861—April 15, 1865

Average Rank: 1.33

APSA: 1 

Siena: 2

C-SPAN: 1

The man who led America through the Civil War and signed the Emancipation Proclamation is probably not a surprise in the number one spot.

 Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

2: Franklin D Roosevelt

Served: March 4, 1933—April 12, 1945

Average Rank: 2.0

APSA: 2

Siena: 1

C-SPAN: 3

The longest-serving President in history, FDR was first elected during The Great Depression and is the only President elected to more than two terms (passing away in office at the start of his fourth term).

 Vincenzo Laviosa, Wikimedia Commons

3: George Washington

Served: April 30, 1789—March 4, 1797

Average Rank: 2.66

APSA: 3

Siena: 3

C-SPAN: 2

A Founding Father and the first President of The United States, Washington fought for the constitution and stepped down voluntarily after his second term—setting a precedent that would be made law with the 22nd amendment.

 Gilbert Stuart, Wikimedia Commons

4: Theodore Roosevelt

Served: September 14, 1901—March 4, 1909

Average Rank: 4

APSA: 4

Siena: 4

C-SPAN: 4

Roosevelt was 42 years old when he assumed the presidency. Still the youngest President ever, Teddy had a maturity and authority beyond his years. He was also a big naturalist and the country saw a major expansion of its national parks during his two terms in office.

 Pach Brothers, Wikimedia Commons

5: Thomas Jefferson

Served: March 4, 1801—March 4, 1809

Average Rank: 5.66

APSA: 5

Siena: 5

C-SPAN: 7

The third President of the United States, Jefferson had already been the primary author of the Declaration of Independence and served as the first US Secretary of State (under Washington) before adding President to his resume.

 Rembrandt Peale, Wikimedia Commons

6 (Tie): Harry S Truman

Served: April 12, 1945—January 20, 1953

Average Rank: 6.33

APSA: 6

Siena: 7

C-SPAN: 6

Following FDR meant Truman had some big shoes to fill. And taking over in the final months of WWII meant he was thrown head first into it all. It was Truman who ordered the atomic bombs be dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was not very popular when he left office but history has seen his reputation improve over time.

 Harry S. Truman Library., Wikimedia Commons

6 (Tie): Dwight D Eisenhower

Served: January 20, 1953—January 20, 1961

Average Rank: 6.33

APSA: 8

Siena: 6

C-SPAN: 5

Ike became a five-star General during WWII and as President, he came to office at the beginning of the Cold War. On the domestic front, Eisenhower sent federal troops to enforce the court ordered desegregation of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

 White House, Wikimedia Commons

8: John F Kennedy

Served: January 20, 1961—November 22, 1963

Average Rank: 9

APSA: 10

Siena: 9

C-SPAN: 8

Although we lost Kennedy just over 1,000 days into his first term, JFK still holds a high place amongst historians and the American public for his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis and for putting the country on a path to putting a man on the moon.

 U.S. Navy photo, Wikimedia Commons

9 (Tie): Lyndon B Johnson

Served: November 22, 1963—January 20, 1969

Average Rank: 9.33

APSA: 9

Siena: 8

C-SPAN: 11

Although the quagmire of the Vietnam War was a black mark on Johnson's legacy, LBJ did more for the advancement of civil rights than any president since Lincoln—and his "Great Society" policies were monumental for Medicare, education, and the fight against poverty.

 Arnold Newman, Wikimedia Commons

9 (Tie): Barack Obama

Served: January 20, 2009—January 20, 2017

Average Rank: 9.33

APSA: 7

Siena: 11

C-SPAN: 10

Obama's signature success was the Affordable Care Act. He was also responsible for leading the country through the Great Recession and was at the helm for the rescue of the US auto industry.

 United States Senate, Wikimedia Commons

11: James Madison

Served: March 4, 1809—March 4, 1817

Average Rank: 12.33

APSA: 11

Siena: 10

C-SPAN: 16

Madison was a Founding Father and his importance in the drafting and adoption of the Constitution has earned him the "Father of the Constitution" moniker.

 John Vanderlyn, Wikimedia Commons

12: Woodrow Wilson

Served: March 4, 1913—March 4, 1921

Average Rank: 13.6

APSA: 15

Siena: 13

C-SPAN: 13

Wilson led the country into WWI and was a key architect of the League of Nations. However, Wilson's administration did authorize segregation in the federal bureaucracy and he opposed women's suffrage, which drew protests.

 Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons

13: James Monroe

Served: March 4, 1817—March 4, 1825

Average Rank: 14

APSA: 18

Siena: 12

C-SPAN: 12

His Monroe Doctrine was instrumental in limiting European nations involvement in the Western Hemisphere.

 Samuel Finley Breese Morse, Wikimedia Commons

14: Ronald Reagan

Served: January 20, 1981—January 20, 1989

Average Rank: 14.3

APSA: 16

Siena: 18

C-SPAN: 9

While still a revered political figure in America, Reagan's standing among scholars has taken a hit in recent years. There is less unanimity than there probably once was (as the nine-position difference between the Siena and C-SPAN rankings indicates).

 Reagan White House Photographs, Wikimedia Commons

15: John Adams

Served: March 4, 1797—March 4, 1801

Average Rank: 14.6

APSA: 13

Siena: 16

C-SPAN: 15

A leader of the American Revolution, Adams was the first Vice President of the United States prior to becoming the nation's second President.

 Gilbert Stuart, Wikimedia Commons

16: Bill Clinton

Served: January 20, 1993—January 20, 2001

Average Rank: 15

APSA: 12

Siena: 14

C-SPAN: 19

Although probably best remembered in popular culture for the Monica Lewinsky scandal—Bill Clinton is regarded as a rather effective and popular President, who managed to balance the budget and achieve a budget surplus.

 Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

17: Joe Biden

Served: January 20, 2021—January 20, 2025

Average Rank: 16.5

APSA: 14

Siena: 19

C-SPAN: n/a

Biden's true rank will need some more time before it can be fully appreciated historically. But at this point, scholars and historians tend to rank him among the top 20.

 Adam Schultz, Wikimedia Commons

18: John Quincy Adams

Served: March 4, 1825—March 4, 1829

Average Rank: 18

APSA: 20

Siena: 17

C-SPAN: 17

President during a period of great divide in the country, John Quincy Adams fought for civil liberties and the unification of the country.

 Mathew Brady, Wikimedia Commons

19 (Tie): Ulysses S Grant

Served: March 4, 1869—March 4, 1877

Average Rank: 19.3

APSA: 17

Siena: 21

C-SPAN: 20

A strong force while leading the North to victory in the Civil War, Grant was less effective at leading and getting his agenda passed while in the office of the presidency.

 Brady-Handy Photograph Collection, Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

19 (Tie): James K Polk

Served: March 4, 1845—March 4, 1849

Average Rank: 19.3

APSA: 25

Siena: 15

C-SPAN: 18

Considered to be a highly effective president by many, you may notice the 10-point difference between the Siena and APSA ranks.

 Brady, Mathew B., Wikimedia Commons

21 (Tie): George HW Bush

Served: January 20, 1989—January 20, 1993

Average Rank: 20

APSA: 19

Siena: 20

C-SPAN: 21

Sure, he picked a Vice President that couldn't spell "potato" and Dana Carvey's impression of him became even more popular than the man himself—however, he was in charge as the country, and the world, emerged from the Cold War, and his handling of the first Gulf War is looked upon well by historians.

 Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

21 (Tie): William McKinley

Served: March 4, 1897—September 14, 1901

Average Rank: 20

APSA: 24

Siena: 22

C-SPAN: 14

McKinley led America into an industrial boom and through the Spanish-American war. He was assassinated less than a year into his second term.

 Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

23: Andrew Jackson

Served: March 4, 1829—March 4, 1837

Average Rank: 22

APSA: 21

Siena: 23

C-SPAN: 22

Jackson is a pretty divisive president. On one hand, he was a strong force for democracy and the constitution—while on the other hand, his signing of the Indian Removal Act in 1830 has been called ethnic cleansing by many. His ranking among historians has declined in recent years.

 Ralph Eleaser Whiteside Earl, Wikimedia Commons

24: William H Taft

Served: March 4, 1909—March 4, 1913

Average Rank: 23.6

APSA: 23

Siena: 25

C-SPAN: 23

Ranked high for his integrity, Taft followed up his presidency with a seat on the Supreme Court as Chief Justice of the United States.

 Pach Brothers, Wikimedia Commons

25: Jimmy Carter

Served: January 20, 1977—January 20, 1981

Average Rank: 24

APSA: 22

Siena: 24

C-SPAN: 26

Carter created a national energy policy and brought Israel and Egypt together for the Camp David accords. And while he was one of the most revered presidents for what he did with his time after leaving office—much of his time as President was derailed by the economic crisis and the Iran hostage crisis which was key to him losing his bid for a second term.

 Department of Defense, Wikimedia Commons

26: Grover Cleveland

Served: March 4, 1885—March 4, 1889; March 4, 1893—March 4, 1897

Average Rank: 25.6

APSA: 26

Siena: 26

C-SPAN: 25

The only president (until Trump) to serve two non-consecutive terms in office, Cleveland was quite popular at first (he even won the popular vote in 1888—but lost the electoral college). However, by the end of his second term, he was highly unpopular with both voters and his own Democratic party.

 Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

27: James A Garfield

Served: March 4, 1881—September 19, 1881

Average Rank: 28

APSA: 30

Siena: 27

C-SPAN: 27

Although generally well-liked by most—Garfield is seen as having been rather ineffective on foreign policy matters. Although, he didn't have much time to build a presidential reputation given that he was assassinated just 200 days into his presidency.

 Brady-Handy Photograph Collection, Wikimedia Commons

28: Gerald Ford

Served: August 9, 1974—January 20, 1977

Average Rank: 28.3

APSA: 27

Siena: 30

C-SPAN: 28

Taking office after Richard Nixon's resignation, Ford tried to move the country past the Watergate scandal and the falling trust in government. He was also dealt one of the worst economic crises since the Great Depression. It was all a bit much for Ford. His pardoning of Nixon is also somewhat controversial.

 David Hume Kennerly, Wikimedia Commons

29: Calvin Coolidge

Served: August 2, 1923—March 4, 1929

Average Rank: 30

APSA: 34

Siena: 32

C-SPAN: 24

His support of racial equality has been praised, but historians debate how much his economic policies affected the onset of the Great Depression.

 Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons

30: Martin Van Buren

Served: March 4, 1837—March 4, 1841

Average Rank: 30.3

APSA: 28

Siena: 29

C-SPAN: 34

Van Buren entered office in the midst of an economic boom. Three months later, things were not booming at all. Historians blame Van Buren's policies for making the situation worse than it would've been.

 Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

31: Rutherford B Hayes

Served: March 4, 1877—March 4, 1881

Average Rank: 31

APSA: 29

Siena: 31

C-SPAN: 33

Hayes' decision to withdraw federal troops from the South at the end of reconstruction—believing in "wise, honest, and peaceful local self-government"—gave the Southern states room to implement Jim Crow laws.

 Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

32: Richard Nixon

Served: January 20, 1969—August 9, 1974

Average Rank: 31.3

APSA: 35

Siena: 28

C-SPAN: 31

There were some triumphs during the Nixon presidency—namely ending the draft, arms negotiations with Russia and diplomacy with communist China, and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. However, much of that gets overshadowed by his massive paranoia and abuse of power that was the Watergate affair and cover-up, which led to his eventual resignation in the face of impeachment.

 Ollie Atkins, White House photographer, Wikimedia Commons

33 (Tie): Chester A Arthur

Served: September 19, 1881—March 4, 1885

Average Rank: 32

APSA: 33

Siena: 33

C-SPAN: 30

Although he earned general praise among his contemporaries, Arthur has been called one of the least memorable presidents in history.

 Charles Milton Bell, Wikimedia Commons

33 (Tie): George W Bush

Served: January 20, 2001—January 20, 2009

Average Rank: 32

APSA: 32

Siena: 35

C-SPAN: 29

The United States' economy was in crisis when the second Bush president left office. And his decision to invade Iraq based on the false belief that they had weapons of mass destruction is a big, black mark on his legacy as well.

 TSgt. Lou Briscese, USAF, Wikimedia Commons

35: Benjamin Harrison

Served: March 4, 1889—March 4, 1893

Average Rank: 32.3

APSA: 31

Siena: 34

C-SPAN: 32

Historians praise his integrity and commitment to African Americans' voting rights—but generally view Harrison's presidency as rather uneventful.

 Pach Brothers, Wikimedia Commons

36 (Tie): Herbert Hoover

Served: March 4, 1929—March 4, 1933

Average Rank: 36.3

APSA: 36

Siena: 37

C-SPAN: 36

The stock market crash that set off the Great Depression happened during Hoover's first year in office and his response to the crisis was, shall we say, unimpressive—and his scapegoating of Mexican Americans was ugly.

 Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

36 (Tie): Zachary Taylor

Served: March 4, 1849—July 9, 1850

Average Rank: 36.3

APSA: 38

Siena: 36

C-SPAN: 35

16 months into his presidency, Zachary Taylor passed away from a stomach disease. And while he is generally ranked low on the list, Taylor has been described as "more a forgettable president than a failed one".

 Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

38 (Tie): John Tyler

Served: April 4, 1841—March 4, 1845

Average Rank: 38.3

APSA: 37

Siena: 39

C-SPAN: 39

Vice President Tyler succeeded to the presidency following the passing of president William Henry Harrison (we'll get to him soon). Another all but forgotten president.

 Matthew Brady, Wikimedia Commons

38 (Tie): Millard Fillmore

Served: July 9, 1850—March 4, 1853

Average Rank: 38.3

APSA: 39

Siena: 38

C-SPAN: 38

Another vice president who assumed the office following the passing of the president, Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave Act, which required that escaped slaves be returned to their enslavers.

 Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

40: Warren G Harding

Served: March 4, 1921—August 2, 1923

Average Rank: 39.6

APSA: 40

Siena: 42

C-SPAN: 37

A very popular president when he left office, scandals revealed after his death began to tank his ranking among the populace and historians. And while his record has begun to be reassessed as of late—Harding still remains among the worst presidents in history.

 Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons

41: William H Harrison

Served: March 4, 1841—April 4, 1841

Average Rank: 40.3

APSA: 41

Siena: 40

C-SPAN: 40

Harrison didn't give historians much to judge him on given that he passed away after just 32 days in office.

 Albert Gallatin Hoit, Wikimedia Commons

42: Franklin Pierce

Served: March 4, 1853—March 4, 1857

Average Rank: 41.6

APSA: 42

Siena: 41

C-SPAN: 42

His support of the South and his ineffectiveness in holding the Union together have led historians to view Pierce as one of the worst presidents.

 Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

43: Donald Trump

Served: January 20, 2017—January 20, 2021; January 20, 2025—Present

Average Rank: 41.6

APSA: 45

Siena: 43

C-SPAN: 41

A history of false statements, poor handling of the Covid pandemic, and two impeachments led to Trump's low rankings among scholars and historians. And that was just the first term.

 Jonah Elkowitz, Shutterstock

44: Andrew Johnson

Served: April 15, 1865—March 4, 1869

Average Rank: 43.6

APSA: 43

Siena: 45

C-SPAN: 43

Johnson had massive shoes to fill after taking over the presidency following the assassination of Lincoln. And according to historians, he didn't fill them very well. Impeached in 1868, he was acquitted in the senate by just one vote.

 Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

45: James Buchanan

Served: March 4, 1857—March 4, 1861

Average Rank: 44

APSA: 44

Siena: 44

C-SPAN: 44

His failure of leadership in the years leading up to the Civil War have been called "incompetent".

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 George Peter Alexander Healy, Wikimedia Commons

Sources: 1, 2