When facing a serious health condition, one of the most important choices a patient can make is which hospital to trust. The hospital you select can influence outcomes, the quality of your experience and your path to recovery.

There are more than 6,000 hospitals across the United States, according to the American Hospital Association, and their capabilities, resources and performance can vary widely. Knowing which facilities provide exceptional quality care and in close proximity can help patients and families make more informed decisions.

To simplify that process, Newsweek and global data intelligence firm Statista are pleased to present America’s Best-in-State Hospitals 2026, ranking 800 of the nation’s top hospitals at the state level in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

This year’s methodology incorporates significant updates: expanded hospital quality metrics, broader accreditation coverage, integration of prior-year expert recommendations and a stronger emphasis on care quality and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

The scoring rests on four pillars: quality metrics (50 percent), reputation (30 percent), patient experience (15 percent) and PROMs implementation (5 percent).

Quality data is drawn from CMS, Medicare Fee-for-Service claims via Arcadia, the AHA Annual Survey (now with staffing metrics) and hospital accreditation bodies including The Joint Commission, Planetree, ACHC and ANCC Magnet designation. Reputation is shaped by a nationwide survey of medical professionals, who rate hospitals in care quality, counseling, amenities, staffing and accessibility. Patient experience is included via HCAHPS survey results.

The result is a state-by-state guide to hospitals that stand out for clinical excellence, patient experience and innovation in outcomes reporting. Facilities recognized this year include Mayo Clinic Hospital – Phoenix, Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Illinois, The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

We hope this ranking serves as a trusted guide as you navigate important choices about health care for you and your loved ones.