The United States boasts some of the world’s most prestigious and advanced medical institutions, with several prominent ranking organizations providing comprehensive evaluations of hospital performance. This report examines the top 10 best hospitals in America for 2025, based on an analysis of multiple authoritative ranking systems including U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, Money magazine, and Healthgrades.
Overview of Hospital Ranking Methodologies
U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals 2024-2025
U.S. News & World Report continues to be the most widely recognized hospital ranking system in the United States, marking its 35th year of evaluation. The 2024-2025 rankings evaluate nearly 5,000 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. Rather than assigning numerical rankings to the top 20 hospitals, U.S. News now lists these elite institutions alphabetically on their Honor Roll, acknowledging that the best hospitals in the country aren’t significantly different in terms of quality and excellence.
The ranking methodology incorporates risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, level of nursing care, and patient experience scores. This year, U.S. News expanded its data analysis to include Medicare Advantage patients and outpatient care, nearly doubling the number of patients included in their annual analysis.
Newsweek World’s Best Hospitals 2025
Newsweek, in partnership with global data firm Statista, published its World’s Best Hospitals 2025 ranking, featuring over 2,400 hospitals spanning 30 countries. The methodology combines four key data sources: online surveys of over 85,000 medical experts worldwide, patient experience data, hospital quality metrics, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) implementation surveys.
The United States dominated the global rankings, with 430 hospitals represented on the list—more than any other country. The evaluation criteria include peer endorsements from healthcare professionals, patient experiences, quality metrics, and hospital accreditation standards.
Money’s Best Hospitals 2025
Money magazine’s 2025 Best Hospitals ranking stands out for its emphasis on price transparency and financial considerations alongside clinical quality. The evaluation began with over 6,000 hospitals nationwide, considering only facilities with four- or five-star ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Money’s unique approach includes grading hospitals on how closely their publicly listed “chargemaster prices” align with actual revenue received from patients or Medicare.
The ranking assesses overall performance, physician quality, and price transparency, with each hospital receiving letter grades in these categories. This approach helps patients navigate not only the clinical aspects of healthcare but also the financial implications of their hospital choice.
Healthgrades America’s Best Hospitals 2025
Healthgrades released its 2025 America’s Best Hospitals Awards, recognizing the top 1%, 2%, and 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance. The evaluation process examined approximately 4,500 hospitals across more than 30 common procedures and conditions using Medicare data from 2021-2023.
Healthgrades’ methodology focuses exclusively on patient outcomes, providing three award levels: America’s 50 Best Hospitals (top 1%), America’s 100 Best Hospitals (top 2%), and America’s 250 Best Hospitals (top 5%). According to their analysis, if all hospitals performed similarly to America’s 250 Best Hospitals, 174,081 lives could be saved annually.
The Top 10 Best Hospitals in the USA for 2025
1. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Mayo Clinic in Rochester stands as the undisputed leader in American healthcare, earning the #1 position in Newsweek’s global ranking and maintaining its status as the most highly ranked hospital across multiple specialties. The institution has been recognized on the U.S. News Honor Roll and is top-ranked in more specialties than any other hospital in the nation.
Mayo Clinic Rochester achieved first-place rankings in three specialties: Diabetes & Endocrinology, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery. The hospital also secured second-place rankings in Neurology & Neurosurgery and Orthopedics, and third-place rankings in Cancer, Cardiology & Heart Surgery, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. The institution received Money’s fifth-place ranking, demonstrating excellence across both clinical outcomes and financial transparency.
Mayo Clinic’s commitment to research is exemplified by its involvement in more than 12,000 clinical studies, often providing patients with first access to breakthrough treatments. The institution operates across three main campuses in Rochester, Minnesota; Phoenix, Arizona; and Jacksonville, Florida, with Mayo Clinic ranked #1 in all three states.
2. Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland Clinic has maintained its position as the second-best hospital in the world for seven consecutive years according to Newsweek’s rankings. The institution earned the #1 ranking in Cardiology & Heart Surgery from U.S. News and ranks among the top hospitals across multiple specialties.
The Cleveland Clinic’s global reach includes operations in the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Canada, with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi ranking 172nd globally and Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital ranking 225th in the world’s best hospitals list. The organization placed in all 12 specialties ranked by Newsweek, with eight specialties ranking among the top 5 globally and 10 ranking among the top 10 worldwide.
In addition to clinical excellence, Cleveland Clinic has been recognized as the World’s Best Smart Hospital and received top rankings in specialized care, including the best in the world for urology. The institution’s operating revenue in 2024 was $15.94 billion, with 15.96 million patient visits and 82,608 employees.
3. Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Johns Hopkins Hospital has earned a place on the U.S. News Honor Roll for the second consecutive year, representing one of only 20 hospitals nationwide to achieve this distinction. The institution ranked #1 in Maryland, the Baltimore metropolitan area, and the mid-Atlantic region. Johns Hopkins has maintained its position among the top 5 hospitals in the nation for all 33 years of U.S. News rankings.
The hospital achieved exceptional performance in medical specialties, with Rheumatology ranked #1 for the 20th consecutive year. Twelve medical specialties at Johns Hopkins ranked among the top 10 of their respective fields. The institution also earned recognition as a Best Regional Hospital for Equitable Access, demonstrating excellent outcomes among underserved communities.
Johns Hopkins Hospital is nationally ranked in 14 adult specialties and 11 children’s specialties, with high performance ratings in 18 procedures and conditions. The hospital’s commitment to research and innovation continues to drive medical advances across multiple disciplines.
4. Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts General Hospital secured the fourth position in Newsweek’s global ranking and the second place in Money’s evaluation, demonstrating consistent excellence across multiple assessment criteria. The institution has been named to the U.S. News Honor Roll and maintains its reputation as one of the premier medical centers in the United States.
The hospital’s strong performance in Money’s ranking reflects not only clinical excellence but also superior price transparency and financial practices. Massachusetts General Hospital has consistently ranked among the top hospitals nationally and serves as a major teaching hospital affiliated with Harvard Medical School.
The institution’s research programs and clinical trials continue to advance medical knowledge and provide patients with access to cutting-edge treatments. Massachusetts General Hospital’s comprehensive services span virtually all medical and surgical specialties, making it a destination for complex and specialized care.
5. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center achieved the remarkable distinction of ranking #1 in Money’s 2025 Best Hospitals evaluation while also securing positions on both the U.S. News Honor Roll and Newsweek’s top 10 list. This unique combination demonstrates the hospital’s excellence across clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, and financial transparency.
The institution earned recognition in Healthgrades’ America’s 50 Best Hospitals award, placing it among the top 1% of hospitals nationally for clinical excellence. Cedars-Sinai has been consistently recognized for its high-quality care across multiple specialties and its commitment to innovation in medical technology and patient care.
Located in Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai serves as a major referral center for complex cases and maintains extensive research programs that contribute to medical advances. The hospital’s strong performance in Money’s evaluation particularly highlights its transparency in pricing and billing practices, an increasingly important factor for patients navigating healthcare costs.
6. UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
UCLA Medical Center, specifically the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, ranked fifth in Newsweek’s global evaluation and earned a position on the U.S. News Honor Roll. The institution is part of the UC San Diego Health system, which has been recognized on the U.S. News Honor Roll as the first health care system in San Diego County to earn this distinction.
UCLA Medical Center is nationally ranked in 11 adult medical and surgical specialties and has been recognized for outstanding patient care across multiple disciplines. The hospital serves as a major academic medical center, combining clinical excellence with research innovation and medical education.
The institution’s affiliation with the University of California system provides access to cutting-edge research and clinical trials, often giving patients first access to experimental treatments and breakthrough therapies. UCLA Medical Center continues to be a leader in specialized care for complex and rare conditions.
7. Stanford Health Care, Stanford, California
Stanford Health Care earned the sixth position in Newsweek’s global ranking and maintains its status on the U.S. News Honor Roll. The institution is recognized for its leadership in research and innovative treatments, consistently ranking among the top hospitals for complex medical care.
Stanford Health Care is particularly renowned for its integration of research and clinical practice, with many physicians serving dual roles as clinicians and researchers. This unique environment fosters rapid translation of research discoveries into patient care, often providing access to treatments not available elsewhere.
The hospital’s location in Silicon Valley has facilitated partnerships with technology companies, leading to innovations in medical devices, data analytics, and telemedicine. Stanford Health Care continues to push the boundaries of medical practice through its commitment to research and technological advancement.
8. Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
Mount Sinai Hospital secured the seventh position in Newsweek’s global ranking and earned recognition on the U.S. News Honor Roll. The institution is part of the Mount Sinai Health System, one of the largest academic medical systems in New York City.
Mount Sinai Hospital is renowned for its excellence across multiple medical specialties and its commitment to research and innovation. The hospital serves as a major referral center for complex cases and maintains extensive clinical trial programs that provide patients with access to experimental treatments.
The institution’s location in New York City positions it as a critical healthcare resource for one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas. Mount Sinai Hospital continues to advance medical knowledge through its research programs while providing exceptional patient care across a wide range of specialties.
9. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
Brigham and Women’s Hospital earned the eighth position in Newsweek’s global ranking and maintains its place on the U.S. News Honor Roll. The institution is affiliated with Harvard Medical School and forms part of the Partners HealthCare system, now known as Mass General Brigham.
The hospital is particularly renowned for its cancer care programs, with the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center ranking fourth nationally for cancer care according to U.S. News. Brigham and Women’s Hospital has been recognized as a Best Hospital for cancer care in New England for 24 consecutive years.
The institution’s research programs span multiple disciplines, with particular strength in cardiovascular medicine, oncology, and women’s health. Brigham and Women’s Hospital continues to contribute to medical advances through its extensive clinical trial programs and research initiatives.
10. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
Northwestern Memorial Hospital completed the top 10 by earning the tenth position in Newsweek’s global ranking and maintaining its status on the U.S. News Honor Roll. The institution has been recognized on the national Honor Roll for 13 straight years, with more top specialties than any other hospital in Illinois.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital is part of Northwestern Medicine and serves as the flagship hospital for the health system. The institution is affiliated with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, combining clinical excellence with medical education and research.
The hospital’s consistent performance across multiple ranking systems demonstrates its commitment to maintaining high standards of care across all medical specialties. Northwestern Memorial Hospital continues to serve as a major referral center for the Chicago metropolitan area and the broader Midwest region.
Additional Notable Hospitals
While not making the top 10 consolidated ranking, several other hospitals deserve recognition for their exceptional performance in specific ranking systems:
Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina
Duke University Hospital earned the sixth position in Money’s ranking and maintains its status on the U.S. News Honor Roll. The institution is renowned for its research programs and clinical excellence across multiple specialties.
NYU Langone Hospitals, New York
NYU Langone Hospitals ranked eighth in Money’s evaluation and earned recognition on the U.S. News Honor Roll. The institution has undergone significant expansion and modernization in recent years, emerging as a leading academic medical center.
University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City
The University of Kansas Hospital achieved the third position in Money’s ranking, demonstrating exceptional performance in clinical quality and price transparency. While not appearing in other major rankings, this recognition highlights the hospital’s commitment to providing high-value care.
Hospital Safety and Quality Indicators
Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades
The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2025 Hospital Safety Grades provide an additional perspective on hospital quality, focusing specifically on patient safety measures. For the first time, Leapfrog highlighted 346 hospitals nationwide that achieved an “A” grade for spring 2025 and sustained this grade for five or more grading rounds, designating them “Straight A” hospitals.
Among the elite group of hospitals that earned A’s for all 27 grading rounds (13 years) are several notable institutions: Mayo Clinic-Phoenix, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, and Virginia Mason Medical Center. These “all-time Straight A hospitals” represent the highest level of sustained commitment to patient safety.
States with the highest percentage of A grades for spring 2025 include Utah, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, South Carolina, and Virginia. Utah ranked #1 for the fourth consecutive Safety Grade round and tied for first among states with the highest percentage of Straight A hospitals.
CMS Hospital Star Ratings
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2025 hospital star ratings, providing another important quality measure. The star rating system evaluates hospitals across five categories: mortality rates, patient readmissions, safety of care, timely and effective care, and patient experience.
Mayo Clinic hospitals received exceptional recognition in CMS star ratings, with nine of ten Mayo Clinic hospitals earning five stars—the highest score possible. The national average is three out of five stars, making Mayo Clinic’s performance particularly remarkable. Hospitals that receive five-star ratings are among the top 6.33% of hospitals in the United States.
Financial Impact and Healthcare Outcomes
Premier’s 100 Top Hospitals Analysis
Premier’s 100 Top Hospitals 2025 analysis provides valuable insights into the potential impact of high-performing hospitals on healthcare outcomes and costs. According to their research, if all hospitals performed at the level of this year’s top performers, the impact would be profound.
The analysis found that Premier’s 100 Top Hospitals delivered significantly better outcomes compared to peer hospitals:
- 39% fewer inpatient deaths than peer hospitals
- 26.5% fewer patients with complications
- 32% fewer healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)
- 18% lower inpatient expense per discharge
- 0.4-day shorter average length of stay
- Better patient experience scores (73% vs. 68% at peer hospitals)
If all hospitals achieved similar performance levels, the healthcare system could realize over 331,000 additional lives saved, over 611,000 patients would be complication-free, and 13,000 fewer patients would be readmitted within 30 days. This would account for $15.1 billion in saved healthcare costs.
Healthgrades Impact Analysis
Healthgrades’ analysis of their 2025 America’s Best Hospitals revealed similar potential for improvement across the healthcare system. According to their research, if all hospitals performed similarly to America’s 250 Best Hospitals, 174,081 lives could be saved annually.
This analysis underscores the persistent performance gap between the nation’s highest and lowest performers, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that consumers have access to objective measures of hospital quality. The recognition of top-performing hospitals serves not only to guide patient choices but also to establish benchmarks for healthcare excellence nationwide.
Geographic Distribution and Access
Regional Representation
The top 10 hospitals are distributed across major metropolitan areas, with significant concentrations in traditional medical hubs:
California leads with three hospitals in the top 10:
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles)
- UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles)
- Stanford Health Care (Stanford)
Massachusetts has two representatives:
- Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston)
Single representatives from major medical centers:
- Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota)
- Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, Ohio)
- Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, Maryland)
- Mount Sinai Hospital (New York, New York)
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, Illinois)
Access to Top-Tier Care
Healthgrades research revealed that nearly half (47%) of Americans live more than 25 miles from one of the 250 best hospitals. Furthermore, 15 states lack a hospital that performs in the top 5%, creating a significant challenge for 37 million Americans in their pursuit of quality healthcare.
This geographic disparity highlights the importance of telemedicine, regional partnerships, and efforts to improve healthcare quality across all institutions. The concentration of top-tier hospitals in major metropolitan areas underscores the need for continued investment in healthcare infrastructure and quality improvement initiatives in underserved regions.
Specialized Care Excellence
Cancer Care Leadership
The top 10 hospitals demonstrate exceptional performance in cancer care, with several institutions ranking among the nation’s best cancer hospitals according to U.S. News:
- Mayo Clinic-Rochester: Ranked #3 nationally for cancer care
- Johns Hopkins Hospital: Ranked #6 nationally for cancer care
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital: Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center ranked #4 nationally
Cardiovascular Excellence
Cardiovascular care represents another area of particular strength among the top 10 hospitals:
- Cleveland Clinic: Ranked #1 nationally in Cardiology & Heart Surgery
- Mayo Clinic-Rochester: Ranked #3 nationally in Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery
Research and Innovation
All top 10 hospitals maintain extensive research programs that contribute to medical advances and provide patients with access to cutting-edge treatments. Mayo Clinic’s involvement in more than 12,000 clinical studies exemplifies this commitment to research excellence.
These institutions serve as national referral centers for complex cases and rare conditions, often providing the only available treatment options for patients with challenging diagnoses. Their research programs continue to drive medical innovation and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.
Future Trends and Methodology Evolution
Enhanced Data Integration
Hospital ranking organizations continue to evolve their methodologies to provide more comprehensive assessments of quality and value. U.S. News incorporated Medicare Advantage data and expanded outpatient outcomes in their 2024-2025 rankings. Similarly, Newsweek introduced bibliometric scores as a proxy for reputation based on research output.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
The increasing emphasis on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures represents a significant trend in hospital evaluation. Newsweek’s inclusion of PROMs implementation surveys acknowledges the growing importance of patient perspectives in defining quality care beyond traditional clinical metrics.
Price Transparency Focus
Money magazine’s emphasis on price transparency reflects growing consumer awareness of healthcare costs. This trend toward financial transparency is likely to influence other ranking systems as patients increasingly consider cost alongside quality in their healthcare decisions.
Technology and Innovation Metrics
The recognition of Cleveland Clinic as the World’s Best Smart Hospital highlights the growing importance of technology integration in healthcare delivery. Future ranking methodologies may increasingly incorporate measures of digital health capabilities, artificial intelligence implementation, and technological innovation.
Conclusion
The top 10 best hospitals in the USA for 2025 represent the pinnacle of American healthcare excellence, combining outstanding clinical outcomes, patient safety, research innovation, and operational efficiency. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, stands as the clear leader across multiple ranking systems, followed closely by Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins Hospital.
These institutions serve not only as providers of exceptional care but also as benchmarks for the entire healthcare industry. Their consistent performance across multiple evaluation criteria demonstrates the possibility of achieving excellence in healthcare delivery while maintaining financial sustainability and operational efficiency.
The geographic concentration of top-tier hospitals in major metropolitan areas highlights ongoing challenges in healthcare access, while the significant performance gaps between the highest and lowest performing hospitals underscore the potential for improvement across the healthcare system. The research conducted by various ranking organizations suggests that if all hospitals achieved the performance levels of these top institutions, hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved annually, with billions of dollars in cost savings.
As healthcare continues to evolve, these leading institutions will likely continue to drive innovation in medical technology, treatment protocols, and care delivery models. Their commitment to research and education ensures that advances in medical knowledge will continue to benefit patients not only within their own walls but throughout the global healthcare community.
For patients seeking the highest quality care, these top 10 hospitals represent excellent choices, though the specific choice should always be made in consultation with healthcare providers who understand individual medical needs and circumstances. The comprehensive ranking data provides valuable guidance, but the ultimate goal remains ensuring that every patient receives safe, effective, and compassionate care regardless of which hospital they choose.