U.S. News Ear, Nose & Throat ranking methodology
U.S. News ranks hospitals for Ear, Nose & Throat by blending risk-adjusted patient outcomes, hospital structure and resources, and a physician expert-opinion component. It uses the default ~15% expert-opinion weight — it is not among the four specialties reduced to 12% — so measured outcomes and structure carry most of the score.
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What this ranking covers
The Ear, Nose & Throat specialty recognizes hospitals that excel at head and neck conditions — sinus and nasal disorders, hearing and balance problems, and head and neck cancers.
How it’s scored
Per U.S. News’s 2025–26 methodology, the score draws on:
- Patient outcomes — risk-adjusted results such as survival and being discharged home; the largest share.
- Structure & resources directly related to ear, nose & throat care.
- Expert opinion (reputation) — weighted about 15% in 2025–26 — the default for data-driven specialties.
Frequently asked questions
How does U.S. News rank hospitals for ear, nose & throat?
The Ear, Nose & Throat ranking blends risk-adjusted patient outcomes, hospital structure and resources, and a physician expert-opinion component. It is a data-driven specialty that uses about 15% in 2025–26 — the default for data-driven specialties expert-opinion weight, with outcomes carrying the largest share.
How much does reputation count in this ranking?
About 15% in 2025–26 — the default for data-driven specialties. Ear, Nose & Throat is not among the four specialties reduced to 12%, so the survey carries the standard share while outcomes and structure dominate.
What does the ear, nose & throat ranking cover?
It evaluates head and neck conditions — sinus and nasal disorders, hearing and balance problems, and head and neck cancers.
Track your ear, nose & throat standing — every measure, every year
Shield Tracker helps ear, nose & throat programs manage their U.S. News data submission and follow scores, component-level gaps, year-over-year trends, and peer benchmarking — so you know exactly where your ranking stands and where to focus.
Schedule a demoSources
- U.S. News & World Report, “Best Hospitals” specialty rankings. health.usnews.com
- U.S. News & World Report, “FAQ: How and Why We Rank and Rate Hospitals.” health.usnews.com
Independence & trademarks. Shield Tracker is an independent software product. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by U.S. News & World Report. “U.S. News & World Report” and “Best Hospitals” are trademarks of U.S. News & World Report L.P., used here descriptively for education and commentary. Methodology facts reflect U.S. News’s published 2025–26 Best Hospitals methodology and are subject to change each year.