U.S. News & World Report Recognizes Seattle Children’s as a Top 10 National Leader in Pediatric Healthcare
Sept. 15, 2026
For the third year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has named Seattle Children’s among the top 10 best children’s hospitals in the U.S. This ongoing honor recognizes Seattle Children’s as one of the nation’s very best places to care for children, out of the nearly 200 pediatric hospitals evaluated in 2026. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Seattle Children’s as a top children’s hospital every year since it began ranking medical centers more than 30 years ago.
In addition to the Top 10 Honor Roll status, Seattle Children’s is ranked as the top pediatric hospital in Washington and the Pacific Northwest and tied for first place in the Pacific region, which includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.
“Earning a spot among the nation's top 10 children's hospitals for the third consecutive year is a testament to every team member who shows up daily with purpose and dedication,” said Seattle Children’s CEO Dr. Christopher A. Longhurst. “It takes our entire team working together to guide caregivers through complex medical decisions and deliver world-class care, confirming our commitment to our mission of hope, care and cures.”
Program-Specific Rankings
U.S. News & World Report ranks the top 50 pediatric hospitals in 11 specialty areas. For more than a decade Seattle Children’s has been nationally ranked in every area, and for 2026-2027, four specialties are in the top 10:
- Cancer: #5
- Cardiology and Heart Surgery: #36
- Diabetes and Endocrinology: #9
- Gastroenterology and GI Surgery: #16
- Neonatology: #16
- Nephrology: #3
- Neurology and Neurosurgery: #13
- Orthopedics: #12
- Pulmonology: #9
- Urology: #21
- Pediatric and Adolescent Behavioral Health (ranked in top 50)*
U.S. News & World Report is the most comprehensive source of quality-related information on pediatric hospitals in the United States. The Best Children's Hospitals methodology is based on objective measures such as patient outcomes, including mortality and infection rates, as well as available clinical resources, compliance with best practices and commitment to health equity. Rankings also factor in each specialty’s reputation, as assessed by thousands of pediatric specialists at peer institutions around the country.
To learn more about Seattle Children’s rankings and specialties, visit the Seattle Children’s website.
* Note: U.S. News did not assign ordinal ranks to any of the top 50 Pediatric and Adolescent Behavioral Health programs. All 50, including Seattle Children’s, receive equal recognition as Best Hospitals for Pediatric and Adolescent Behavioral Health.