UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill has been ranked as the second-best hospital in North Carolina and within the Triangle region, according to the 2025-26 “Best Hospitals” report from U.S. News & World Report. UNC Health Rex in Raleigh was listed as the fourth-best hospital in the state and third in the Triangle.
Four specialties at UNC Hospitals achieved national rankings this year: Cancer (#48), Ear, Nose & Throat (#44), Urology (#31), and Rehabilitation (#46). According to U.S. News, a facility must be among the top 50 hospitals nationwide for a specialty to receive a national ranking.
In addition to these rankings, UNC Hospitals received “high performing” ratings in five adult specialties: Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery. The hospital was also recognized as “high performing” in 14 common adult procedures and conditions, including abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, diabetes care, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia treatment, heart attack care, heart failure management, hip fracture care, kidney failure treatment, leukemia/lymphoma/myeloma care, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia treatment, and prostate cancer surgery.
UNC Health Rex earned a “high performing” rating for Gastroenterology & GI Surgery and was cited as “high performing” in 20 common adult procedures and conditions such as abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, aortic valve surgery, back surgery (spinal fusion), colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia treatment, heart attack care, heart bypass surgery, heart failure management, hip fracture care, hip replacement surgery, kidney failure treatment, knee replacement surgery, leukemia/lymphoma/myeloma care, lung cancer surgery, pacemaker implantation procedures, pneumonia treatment, prostate cancer surgery , stroke care , and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Other hospitals within the UNC Health system also received recognition. UNC Health Johnston hospital in Smithfield was rated “high performing” for treating heart attacks. UNC Nash in Rocky Mount received high marks for both heart failure management and stroke care.
U.S. News & World Report updates its Best Hospitals rankings annually by analyzing millions of hospital visits and admissions to help patients find quality healthcare when needed most.
