U.S. News & World Report Marks 20 Years of Pediatric Care Rankings with the 2026-2027 Best Children's Hospitals
This edition commemorates two decades of guiding families to high-quality pediatric care, recognizing 90 top children's hospitals across 11 pediatric specialties.
- 90 children's hospitals recognized across 34 states and Washington, D.C., for exceptional pediatric care.
- 11 pediatric medical specialties evaluated, including the third annual evaluation of pediatric and adolescent behavioral health programs.
- 11 leading hospitals across 8 states and Washington, D.C., named to the Honor Roll for high-performing, multi-specialty pediatric care.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in healthcare decision support, today announced the 2026-2027 Best Children's Hospitals rankings. Marking the 20th edition, this annual evaluation assists parents and caregivers, alongside their physicians, in navigating complex pediatric care choices and finding the highest level of treatment for children facing serious illnesses or rare medical conditions.
Since launching its Best Children's Hospitals study in 2007, U.S. News has expanded its scope to assess pediatric hospitals nationwide across 11 medical specialties. The landmark 20th edition continues to provide critical insights into hospital performance by specialty, state and region, including the third annual evaluation of pediatric and adolescent behavioral health programs.
"For two decades, U.S. News has helped guide families to top-tier pediatric care," said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. "Finding the right medical team for a rare diagnosis or complex surgery can be overwhelming, and U.S. News' annual evaluation of the Best Children's Hospitals provides a clear starting point for parents and referring pediatricians alike."
Top Pediatric Hospitals by Region
Mid-Atlantic (3-way tie for #1)
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Children's National Hospital (Washington, D.C.)
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Midwest (3-way tie for #1)
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Cincinnati Children's
Nationwide Children's Hospital (Columbus, Ohio)
Boston Children's Hospital
Pacific (2-way tie for #1)
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Seattle Children's Hospital
Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora, Colo.)
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)
Top Five Pediatric Hospitals in Selected Specialties
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center
- Cincinnati Children's
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis, Tenn.)
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- (tie). Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
(tie). Seattle Children's Hospital
Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery
- Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)
- Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora, Colo.)
- Duke Children's Hospital and Health Center (Durham, N.C.)
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Children's Health Dallas
- Boston Children's Hospital
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Cincinnati Children's
- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford (Palo Alto, Calif.)
- Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)
Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Boston Children's Hospital
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)
- Cincinnati Children's
- Children's National Hospital (Washington, D.C.)
- Children's Health Dallas-Scottish Rite for Children
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Boston Children's Hospital
- Nemours Children's Hospital-Delaware (Wilmington)
- Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)
2026-2027 Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll
The following Honor Roll hospitals appear in alphabetical order:
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
- Boston Children's Hospital
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, D.C.
- Cincinnati Children's, Cincinnati
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
- Seattle Children's Hospital
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Methodology & Patient Resources
To compile the 2026-2027 edition of Best Children's Hospitals, U.S. News and RTI International, a North Carolina-based research firm, collected and analyzed clinical data from 114 children's hospitals and surveyed thousands of pediatric specialists. Hospitals designated as a "Best Children's Hospital" excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, compliance with established best practices, and level and quality of hospital resources directly related to patient care.
This year's Best Children's Hospitals rankings will be published in U.S. News' "Best Hospitals 2027 Guidebook," available to order from the U.S. News Online Store.
Parents and caregivers can use U.S. News' Doctor Finder tool to identify pediatricians providing primary and specialized care.
For those seeking pediatric medical care, a hospital recognized by U.S. News with a "Best" designation may be worth considering in consultation with their medical provider.
For more information, visit Best Children's Hospitals and use #BestChildrensHospitals on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, TikTok and X.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.
SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P.
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