Jordan Ellis
U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of the best hospitals is a comprehensive evaluation of nearly 5,000 hospitals in the United States. The report, now in its 35th year, assesses hospitals based on various factors, including patient care, complexity of cases, and medical specialties. The rankings are designed to help patients and their families make informed decisions about their healthcare, especially in cases of rare or complex conditions. The 2024-2025 edition of the report introduced new criteria, such as equitable access and care for underserved communities, showcasing the top hospitals in each state and major metropolitan area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of hospitals evaluated | Nearly 5,000 |
| Number of specialties | 15 |
| Number of procedures and conditions | 20 |
| Number of hospitals on the Honor Roll | 20 |
| Number of Best Regional Hospitals | 466 |
| Number of Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access | 98 |
| Ranking factors | Complexity of care, number of patients, level of care, outcomes, standards of care, hospital resources and technologies |
| Ranking basis | Survey responses from physicians, medical experts, patient experience data, hospital quality metrics, PROMs Implementation Survey |
| Frequency of ranking | Annual |
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What You'll Learn
U.S. News & World Report's ranking methodology
U.S. News & World Report's ranking of the best hospitals is designed to help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare. The ranking evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals in 15 adult specialties and 20 procedures and conditions, making it one of the most comprehensive public hospital rankings available.
The evaluation process is rigorous and includes an assessment of various factors, such as the complexity of patient care, the number of patients treated, and the level of care provided. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report analyzes data from approximately 67 million Medicare beneficiaries and approximately 1.5 billion medical claims over a 5-7 year period. This extensive data analysis allows them to evaluate hospitals across 12 medical specialties and 20 unique surgical procedures or treatments.
The ranking methodology focuses on three key areas: outcomes, process, and structure. Outcomes refer to how well patients survive or recover after receiving treatment. Process evaluates how closely the hospital adheres to the best standards of care, while structure assesses the hospital's resources and technologies.
To ensure the accuracy and relevance of their rankings, U.S. News & World Report's health team consults with industry experts each year to refine their methodology. They also place a strong emphasis on transparency, providing detailed documentation of their methodology and an overview for individuals choosing a hospital.
In the 2024-2025 rankings, U.S. News & World Report expanded their evaluation by incorporating new data on care provided to patients with Medicare Advantage insurance and outpatients, nearly doubling the number of patients included in their analysis. This year's rankings also introduced the recognition of Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access, highlighting hospitals that excel in serving patients from historically underserved communities.
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Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access
U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Hospitals list includes 466 regional hospitals, with 98 of them being recognised as Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access. This recognition highlights hospitals that have succeeded in caring for patients from historically underserved communities.
U.S. News evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals in more than 30 medical and surgical services each year, making it the public ranking that assesses the most hospitals. The evaluation process includes an analysis of data from approximately 67 million Medicare beneficiaries and around 1.5 billion medical claims over a 5-7 year period. The data covers 12 medical specialties and 20 unique surgical procedures or treatments.
The hospitals that make the Best Regional Hospitals for Equitable Access list are those that demonstrate a commitment to equitable healthcare and improved access for underserved populations. This may include providing language interpretation services, offering sliding-scale fees or financial assistance, and actively addressing health disparities in their communities.
The Best Hospitals specialty rankings are intended for patients with rare or life-threatening conditions who require a hospital that excels in treating complex, high-risk cases. These rankings can be especially useful for individuals seeking information about rare conditions or challenging diagnoses that are not commonly treated at many healthcare facilities.
The 2024-2025 Best Hospitals list from U.S. News & World Report includes hospitals that have achieved excellence in various specialties, such as diabetes and endocrinology, cancer, cardiology, and ophthalmology. The list also recognises hospitals that have demonstrated exceptional breadth and depth of excellence, with 20 hospitals making up the Honor Roll.
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The importance of reliable and accessible data
The U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of hospitals empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare. The report evaluates nearly 5,000 hospitals in the United States, considering various factors such as complexity of care, patient volume, and the level of care provided. This comprehensive assessment provides valuable insights into hospital performance, helping patients identify the best facilities for their specific healthcare needs.
The impact of accessible data is far-reaching. By presenting its findings in a clear and accessible manner, U.S. News & World Report enables individuals to easily understand and compare hospital performances. This accessibility empowers patients and their families to actively participate in their healthcare decisions, fostering a sense of agency and control during what can often be a challenging and uncertain time.
Furthermore, the availability of reliable data promotes accountability and drives improvement within the healthcare industry. Hospitals are incentivized to maintain and enhance the quality of their services to achieve favorable rankings. This, in turn, raises the standard of healthcare delivery across the board, ultimately benefiting patients and pushing the industry to new heights.
The U.S. News & World Report's dedication to transparency and data-driven insights has established it as a trusted source of information for consumers, healthcare leaders, and policy officials alike. By continuously refining its methodology and incorporating new data points, such as equitable access considerations, the report ensures the longevity and adaptability of its rankings, solidifying its position as a go-to resource for those seeking the best hospitals.
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National Honor Roll hospitals
U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals rankings have been guiding patients to the right hospitals for over 30 years. The rankings are based on three dozen different healthcare services, including cancer care, orthopaedics, and heart bypass surgery. The report also ranks hospitals by region and specialty, with an honour roll of hospitals that excel in complex specialty care.
The Best Hospitals Honor Roll recognizes 20 hospitals with unusual competence across the full range of adult inpatient care. Hospitals are awarded points for being ranked in one or more of the 15 specialties that U.S. News evaluates, with more points given for higher rankings. Hospitals also receive points for being rated "High Performing" in one or more of the 20 procedures and conditions. The top point-scorers make the Honor Roll.
The Honor Roll is not an ordinal list, and hospitals are not ranked within it. However, the No. 1-ranked hospital in a specialty received 25 Honor Roll points, the second-ranked hospital received 24 points, and so on. All hospitals ranked 21 and below received five points.
Some of the hospitals that made the 2024-2025 Honor Roll include:
- Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian in Philadelphia: Ranked in the top 50 hospitals in 11 adult specialties and rated High Performing in all 20 evaluated procedures and conditions.
- Houston Methodist Hospital: Ranked in the top 50 hospitals in 10 adult specialties and rated High Performing in all 20 procedures and conditions.
- North Shore University Hospital at Northwell Health in Manhasset, New York: Ranked in the top 50 hospitals in 9 adult specialties and rated High Performing in 16 out of 20 procedures and conditions.
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago: Ranked in the top 50 hospitals in 11 out of 15 adult specialties and rated High Performing in all 20 procedures and conditions.
- Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts: Ranked in the top 50 hospitals in 12 medical specialties and rated High Performing in 18 out of 20 procedures and conditions.
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Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
U.S. News & World Report ranks the best hospitals in the U.S. annually, evaluating nearly 6,000 hospitals—more than any other public hospital ranking system. The ranking process involves a rigorous eligibility assessment that considers factors such as the complexity of patient care, the volume of patients, and the level of care provided. U.S. News & World Report's methodology includes data analysis of approximately 67 million Medicare beneficiaries and around 1.5 billion medical claims over a 5-7 year period, encompassing 12 medical specialties and 20 unique surgical procedures or treatment conditions.
The 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals list includes 466 regional hospitals, with 160 hospitals nationally ranked in at least one specialty. Hospitals are awarded Honor Roll points based on their performance in 15 evaluated specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. The specialty rankings cater to patients with life-threatening or rare conditions, indicating hospitals' expertise in treating complex, high-risk cases.
While U.S. News & World Report's hospital rankings are influential, it is important to recognise that PROMs play a significant role in providing additional insights into patient experiences and outcomes. PROMs can help evaluate the effectiveness of treatments and interventions, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of healthcare quality beyond the scope of traditional rankings.
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Frequently asked questions
The U.S. News & World Report ranks the best hospitals in the US by state, specialty, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals in more than 30 medical and surgical services for the 2024-2025 list.
The U.S. News & World Report evaluates hospitals based on 15 specialties, 20 procedures and conditions, patient outcomes, standards of care, and hospital resources and technologies.
The U.S. News & World Report publishes its Best Hospitals list annually.
Some hospitals that have been featured on the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals list include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital, and Mayo Clinic.
