Today, CNBC is releasing their 2012 list of "America's Top States for Business" and it was just announced that North Carolina is ranked number 4 on that list. Every year, CNBC compiles an influential list of the best and worst states for business according to 10 categories:

1. Cost of Doing Business

2. Workforce

3. Quality of Life

4. Infrastructure & Transportation

5. Economy

6. Education

7. Technology & Innovation

8. Business Friendliness

9. Access to Capital

10. Cost of Living

See weight and details on these categories here.

Each state is thoroughly studied and receives points according to each category. North Carolina scored 1,538/2500 points and faired very well in the individual categories of Workforce, Technology, and Transportation. See a video about North Carolina's results on CNBC. States 1-3 will be revealed later today.

Meghan Riley