US News & World Report’s annual Best Hospitals rankings empower patients and their families with valuable information to help them choose the right hospital for their care. The ratings are based on objective measures of hospital quality, including risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications and nursing care.This year’s top five hospitals are Johns Hopkins Hospital, NYU Langone Hospitals, New York-Presbyterian Hospital – Columbia and Cornell, UCLA Medical Center, and Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
1. Johns Hopkins Hospital
The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nationally ranked hospital for the 21st consecutive year. This year, the hospital also earned top national rankings in all 15 of its medical specialties, including rheumatology. It remained on the “Honor Roll” in general surgery and was ranked second in the nation for heart surgery. It was also ranked high in ear, nose and throat; neurology and neurosurgery; and psychiatry.In addition to evaluating hospitals by their performance, U.S. News also surveyed patients about their experiences at their hospitals. This included asking them to rate how well their doctors communicated with them and whether they felt their opinions were valued. The hospital also shared information with patients through its OpenNotes program, which allows patients to see their doctors’ notes and other health care data.In total, Johns Hopkins Medicine includes six hospitals in Maryland and Washington, D.C., more than 30 community-based health care and surgery centers, managed care and home care services throughout the state, and strategic collaborations, affiliate and management agreements overseas.
2. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Cedars-Sinai is a major teaching hospital of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, as well as a national leader in clinical research. The Medical Center is one of only a few hospitals nationwide to receive five stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and it has consistently achieved low rates for readmissions after hospital stays for heart failure and other conditions.In 2023, Cedars-Sinai received a Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award from Press Ganey, recognizing the medical center for its outstanding performance in patient satisfaction. The hospital has also received recognition for its antibiotic stewardship program, which promotes safe and appropriate use of antimicrobial drugs.The Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute is ranked #1 in Los Angeles and California, and one of the top 3 cardiac programs in the nation by Newsweek. The hospital is the first in Southern California to be Magnet(r) accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, demonstrating its commitment to nursing excellence. Cedars-Sinai also has affiliates at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Huntington Hospital, both of which are rated high performing by U.S. News and World Report.
3. University of California-San Francisco Medical Center
The University of California-San Francisco Medical Center (UCSF) again ranked among the top hospitals in the nation and California, according to the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. The ranking system was developed in conjunction with RTI International, a research organization based in North Carolina. The Best Hospitals ratings evaluate 15 specialties and 22 procedures and conditions.UCSF Health has a number of high rankings in several specialty areas, including diabetes and endocrinology; geriatrics; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; rheumatology; pulmonology; and urology. It is also ranked as a “high-performing” institution in ear, nose and throat; gastroenterology; and cancer care.UCSF Health also ranks as a national Honor Roll hospital in three of the five adult procedures and conditions evaluated – heart attack, pneumonia and knee replacement. Additionally, UCSF’s UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights and UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay are rated “high-performing” in two adult procedures and conditions – vascular surgery and gastroenterology. The Best Hospitals rankings are designed to help patients make informed decisions about where to receive treatment. The rankings are based on expert opinions about which hospitals provide the best care, using data from nationally recognized organizations and patient satisfaction surveys.
4. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
This hospital in New York City is a medical center that offers specialized treatment for cancer. It is one of 72 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the US. The hospital is also a leading research center. It was founded in 1980 when Memorial Hospital for the Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases and Sloan Kettering Institute merged. It has top-ranked programs in gynecology, urology, cardiology and heart surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, psychiatry, and orthopedics.The hospital is renowned for its advanced surgical procedures and patient-centered care. It has received numerous awards and accolades for its high-quality service. It is also known for its cutting-edge research and advanced treatment techniques.The hospital’s experts are known for their compassionate care and dedication to patients. Its staff has a long history of treating rare diseases and complex conditions. It has a wide range of clinical care services and facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories. In addition, it offers a variety of patient amenities to make your stay comfortable and convenient. This facility is also known for its specialized rheumatology program, which is offered in collaboration with Hospital for Special Surgery.
5. University of California-Davis Medical Center
UC Davis Medical Center was the highest-ranked hospital in Sacramento, California, according to the 2024-2025 edition of the U.S. News & World Report prestigious Best Hospitals rankings. It was nationally ranked in five adult specialties (ear, nose and throat, geriatrics, cancer and pulmonology) and highly rated in 11 pediatric specialty areas.It is home to the internationally renowned UC Davis MIND Institute for research on neurodevelopmental disabilities; the only comprehensive Level 1 trauma center for adults and children in inland Northern California; and the region’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer center. The medical center also includes highly ranked health professional schools in medicine, nursing and veterinary science.The medical center is part of UC Davis Health, which encompasses an academic health system and hospital, as well as the university’s main campus in Davis and two campuses in Sacramento. In addition to the hospital, the health system offers primary care and specialty care through its ambulatory clinics and community health centers. It is also known for its research and education, including a strong commitment to the One Health approach.