Discover the top hospitals in the US for 2026. Compare Honor Roll hospitals, specialty rankings, and learn how to choose the best hospital for cancer, heart surgery, neurology, orthopedics, and more.

When you’re facing a serious illness or planning a complex surgery, choosing the right hospital can make a significant difference. The best hospitals combine experienced physicians, advanced technology, outstanding patient safety, and strong treatment outcomes.

Each year, U.S. News & World Report evaluates nearly 4,500 hospitals across the United States. For the 2025–2026 Best Hospitals Rankings, only 20 hospitals earned a place on the prestigious Honor Roll, recognizing consistent excellence across multiple specialties, procedures, and patient outcomes.

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Whether you need cancer treatment, heart surgery, orthopedic care, or neurological services, this guide highlights the nation’s leading hospitals and explains how to choose the right one for your healthcare needs.

How the Best Hospitals Are Ranked

The U.S. News rankings are based on objective healthcare performance rather than reputation alone.

Hospitals are evaluated using factors such as:

• Patient survival rates
• Nursing quality
• Patient safety
• Hospital resources and technology
• Specialist expertise
• Performance across adult specialties
• Success rates for common procedures and complex conditions

The rankings draw on hundreds of millions of patient records and extensive quality data to identify hospitals that consistently deliver outstanding care.

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2025–2026 Honor Roll Hospitals

The Honor Roll recognizes hospitals that perform exceptionally well across multiple specialties.

Among the nation’s highest-ranked hospitals are:

• Johns Hopkins Hospital (Maryland)
• Mayo Clinic (Minnesota)
• Cleveland Clinic (Ohio)
• NYU Langone Hospitals (New York)
• UCSF Medical Center (California)
• Mount Sinai Hospital (New York)
• Massachusetts General Hospital (Massachusetts)
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Illinois)
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (California)
• UCLA Medical Center (California)

Several hospitals, including AdventHealth Orlando, Hackensack University Medical Center, and University of Michigan Health, also joined the 2025–2026 Honor Roll after demonstrating outstanding performance across numerous specialties.

Best Hospitals by Medical Specialty

Choosing a hospital based on your specific medical condition is often more important than looking only at overall rankings.

Best Cancer Hospitals

Cancer treatment requires multidisciplinary care, advanced technology, and access to clinical trials.

Leading cancer hospitals include:

• University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center

These institutions specialize in personalized cancer treatment, immunotherapy, radiation oncology, and complex surgical procedures.

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Best Heart Hospitals

Cardiovascular disease remains one of America’s leading health concerns.

Top hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery include:

• NYU Langone Hospitals
• Cleveland Clinic
• Mount Sinai Hospital

These hospitals perform thousands of complex heart procedures annually and consistently report excellent patient outcomes.

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Best Neurology & Neurosurgery Hospitals

Patients with brain tumors, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal disorders often seek hospitals with extensive neurological expertise.

Top hospitals include:

• NYU Langone Hospitals
• UCSF Medical Center
• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital (Columbia & Cornell)

These institutions offer advanced imaging, minimally invasive neurosurgery, and access to groundbreaking neurological research.

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Best Orthopedic Hospitals

Orthopedic specialists treat joint replacements, sports injuries, spine disorders, and musculoskeletal diseases.

Leading orthopedic hospitals include:

• Hospital for Special Surgery
• NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital
• Mayo Clinic

These hospitals consistently rank among the nation’s best for hip replacement, knee replacement, and spinal surgery.

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Best Gastroenterology Hospitals

Digestive diseases often require coordinated medical and surgical care.

Top hospitals include:

• Mayo Clinic
• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
• Cleveland Clinic

Their specialists treat liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatic disorders, and gastrointestinal cancers.

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Best Diabetes & Endocrinology Hospitals

Managing diabetes and hormone-related disorders requires specialized expertise.

Top hospitals include:

• Mayo Clinic
• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital

These hospitals provide comprehensive care for diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disorders, and metabolic conditions.

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Best Pulmonology & Lung Surgery Hospitals

Patients with lung disease, respiratory failure, or lung cancer often benefit from treatment at specialized pulmonary centers.

Leading hospitals include:

• NYU Langone Hospitals
• Mayo Clinic
• UCSF Medical Center

These hospitals offer advanced lung surgery, transplant programs, and specialized respiratory care.

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Best Urology Hospitals

Top-ranked urology departments provide treatment for kidney, bladder, and prostate conditions using advanced robotic surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

Leading hospitals include:

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• NYU Langone Hospitals
• Mayo Clinic

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Best Ophthalmology Hospitals

Eye specialists diagnose and treat cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disease, and vision-threatening conditions.

Leading ophthalmology hospitals include:

• Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
• Wills Eye Hospital
• Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital

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Best Psychiatry Hospitals

Mental health treatment continues to play a vital role in comprehensive healthcare.

Top psychiatric hospitals include:

• Massachusetts General Hospital
• McLean Hospital
• NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

These institutions combine psychiatric care with research, behavioral therapy, and specialized treatment programs.

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What Makes a Hospital One of America’s Best?

Advanced Medical Technology

Leading hospitals invest heavily in robotic surgery systems, artificial intelligence-assisted imaging, precision diagnostics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

These technologies often improve surgical precision, reduce complications, and shorten recovery times.

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Highly Specialized Physicians

Top hospitals employ nationally recognized specialists who focus on complex diseases within narrow medical fields.

High procedure volumes often translate into greater physician experience and better patient outcomes.

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Strong Patient Safety

Patient safety remains one of the most important ranking factors.

Many Honor Roll hospitals report lower rates of:

• Hospital-acquired infections
• Surgical complications
• Readmissions
• Preventable medical errors

Strong nurse-to-patient ratios also contribute to safer, more personalized care.

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Research and Clinical Innovation

Many of America’s leading hospitals are also academic medical centers.

Patients may gain access to:

• Clinical trials
• Experimental therapies
• Precision medicine
• New surgical techniques

These innovations often become the future standard of care.

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How to Choose the Right Hospital

Finding the best hospital depends on more than national rankings.

Before making your decision, consider the following:

• Choose a hospital that ranks highly for your specific condition.
• Review physician experience and surgical volumes.
• Confirm that your health insurance is accepted.
• Compare patient safety ratings.
• Consider travel distance and follow-up care requirements.
• Ask your primary physician or specialist for recommendations.

For many patients, the best hospital is the one with the strongest expertise in treating their particular diagnosis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which hospital is ranked #1 in the United States?

Several hospitals consistently compete for the top positions, including Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and NYU Langone Hospitals. Rankings vary by specialty and evaluation criteria.

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Which hospital is best for cancer treatment?

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is widely recognized as one of America’s leading cancer hospitals due to its research, specialized physicians, and outstanding patient outcomes.

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What is the best hospital for heart surgery?

NYU Langone Hospitals currently leads the cardiology and heart surgery specialty rankings, while Cleveland Clinic continues to be recognized globally for complex cardiovascular care.

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Do hospital rankings really matter?

Yes. Rankings reflect measurable outcomes such as survival rates, patient safety, nurse staffing, and treatment quality. However, patients should always consider specialty expertise and physician recommendations alongside national rankings.

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How many hospitals receive Honor Roll recognition?

For the 2025–2026 rankings, only 20 hospitals earned Honor Roll status, representing the highest level of overall hospital performance in the United States.

Final Thoughts

America is home to many of the world’s leading healthcare institutions, offering advanced treatments, groundbreaking research, and highly specialized medical teams.

Hospitals such as Johns Hopkins Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, NYU Langone Hospitals, and UCSF Medical Center continue to set national standards for patient care.

While overall rankings provide valuable guidance, selecting the best hospital ultimately depends on your specific medical condition, physician expertise, insurance coverage, and personal healthcare needs. Taking the time to compare hospitals by specialty can help you make a more informed decision and improve your chances of receiving the highest quality care.