September 15, 2026- U.S. News & World Report announced the 2026-2027 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings on September 15. 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.
To create the pediatric rankings, we gather key clinical data from over 100 medical centers through a detailed survey that looks at factors such as survival rates, patient safety, infection prevention and adequacy of nurse staffing. In 2026-2027, only 90 children’s hospitals were ranked in at least one of the 11 pediatric specialties we evaluate.
Eleven hospitals that excelled at the care of children in all specialties were named to the 2026-2027 U.S. Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll.