U.S. News Releases 2025-2026 Cancer Care Center Rankings
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center once again topped U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospital list for cancer centers. For its 36th annual list, U.S. News reviewed nearly 5,000 hospitals and surveyed 30,000 physicians. Among institutions ranked for specialties, including cancer, only 160 hospitals received rankings in at least one of the specialties.
Top Five Ranked Hospitals for Cancer Care
The top five hospitals in the 2025–26 rankings for cancer were:
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center (New York, NY)
- Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center (Boston, MA)
- Mayo Clinic-Rochester (Rochester, MN)
- Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston made the greatest move in this year’s rankings, jumping from eleventh last year to fifth place. Meanwhile, Mayo Clinic and Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center traded spots in the rankings.
| Rank | Hospital Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | Houston, TX |
| 2 | Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center | New York, NY |
| 3 | Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center | Boston, MA |
| 4 | Mayo Clinic-Rochester | Rochester, MN |
| 5 | Massachusetts General Hospital | Boston, MA |
Analysis of the 2025-2026 Methodology
U.S. News made only minimal changes to the overall cancer hospital rankings this year. However, it significantly revamped its methodology for cancer-specific procedure and condition ratings. “Our methodology this year is much more outcome-focused,” said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis for U.S. News. The ratings are largely based on patient outcomes, safety, staffing, and physician reputation. Up to about 60% to 70% of the score that each hospital gets assigned in each of those categories is based on risk-adjusted outcomes.
The most significant change involved how the publication rates hospitals for specific cancer types, such as colon cancer, lung cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma care, gynecologic cancer surgery, and prostate cancer. Regarding external factors, Harder said that the drug shortages that occurred during the evaluation of hospitals did not significantly affect the rankings.
Leadership in Innovation and Patient Care
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has held the top spot every year since the 2015–16 rankings and has consistently ranked among the top two cancer centers since the survey began in 1990. “We are honored to again be ranked as the nation’s top hospital for cancer care – a recognition that reaffirms our commitment to our shared mission to end cancer,” said MD Anderson President Peter WT Pisters, MD. The institution is known and respected for its quick translation of scientific research into improved cancer therapies and prevention methods.
MD Anderson is home to the Innovation Center, where creative thinkers design and create digital health technology products and services to improve cancer care. Other tech-based programs include the MD Anderson Oncology Expert Advisor and the Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, which provides detailed analysis of patient information for more precise care.
Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center
As in the previous year, Memorial Sloan Kettering ranked no. 2, leading the list composed heavily of northeastern cancer centers. “This recognition reminds us of MSK’s unique role in the history and future of cancer care and the obligation we have to patients,” said Memorial Sloan Kettering President and CEO, Selwyn M. Vickers, MD. The center remains committed to providing world-class cancer care and pursuing breakthrough research to advance the mission of ending cancer for life.
Mass General Brigham
“We are thrilled that Mass General Brigham has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for our excellence in cancer care,” said President David Ryan, MD. As the organization brings its world-class experts together as a single Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute, it will continue to focus on excellent patient outcomes and groundbreaking, research-infused care. The ranking reflects sustained progress improving outcomes through a unified quality strategy.