The annual U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals rankings, now in their 19th year, offer guidance to parents seeking the best place for their very sick child. The top medical centers are identified in 11 specialties, including pediatric cancer, pediatric cardiology and heart surgery, pediatric orthopedics, and pediatric and adolescent behavioral health. In the 2025-2026 rankings, 86 hospitals ranked among the best in at least one pediatric medical specialty. Ten of those hospitals, including Seattle Children’s, earned a place on the U.S. News Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll by garnering points for being highly ranked in many specialties. Further, in the state and regional rankings, Seattle Children’s ranked #1 in Washington State and tied for #1 in the Pacific Region, which includes AK, CA, HI, OR and WA.
Fifty centers were ranked for pediatric neurosurgery and treatment of serious neurological problems such as epilepsy, head trauma and brain tumors. Survival following complex surgery, surgical complications, infection prevention, and the availability of services such as specialized epilepsy treatment and rehabilitation accounted for most of each hospital's pediatric neurology and neurosurgery score. Seattle Children’s Hospital ranked #9 in the nation.