Listen to this article
Newsweek is recognizing the top health care facilities in the U.S. in its America’s Best-in-State Hospitals 2026, released Oct. 22.
Of the more than 6,000 hospitals across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, 800 made this year’s ranking. Of those, 11 are in New Jersey.
In partnership with data firm Statista, Newsweek evaluated hospitals based on:
Peer recommendations from medical professionals
Hospital quality metrics from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other public data sources
Patient experience scores
Accreditations and certifications from recognized organizations
Those that made the ranking “consistently demonstrate excellence across medical specialties, safety, and patient satisfaction,” according to the publication.
“Health care decisions are deeply personal, and patients deserve reliable information when choosing where to seek care,” said Alexis Kayser, Newsweek health care editor. “The hospitals recognized on this list represent the very best in patient-centered care, combining medical expertise with compassion and innovation to improve lives in their communities.”
Care close to home
According to Newsweek, New Jersey’s Best-in-State Hospitals for 2026 are:
No. 1: Morristown Medical Center, Morristown | Atlantic Health System
No. 2: Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood | Englewood Health
No. 3: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick | RWJBarnabas Health
No. 4: Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack | Hackensack Meridian Health
No. 5: Overlook Medical Center, Summit | Atlantic Health System
No. 6: Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick | Saint Peter’s Healthcare System
No. 7: Cooper University Hospital, Camden | Cooper University Health Care
No. 8: Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro
No. 9: Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch | RWJBarnabas Health
No. 10: The Valley Hospital, Paramus | Valley Health System
No. 11: Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck
Last year, 10 hospitals in New Jersey made the list. Holy Name was the addition to the 2026 ranking. U.S. News & World Report released its own list of best hospitals in July, with some repeat honorees to Newsweek’s.
Health care kudos
Englewood Health shared its hospital’s results in an Oct. 23 announcement, noting its No. 2 ranking in the state and highest in Bergen County.
Geller
“We are honored to once again be recognized among the very best hospitals in New Jersey,” said Warren Geller, president and CEO of Englewood Health. “This award reflects the dedication of our entire team—physicians, nurses, and staff—who work tirelessly to provide exceptional care and an outstanding experience for every patient, every day.”