U.S. News & World Report Names 2026 Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Third annual ASC ratings provide data-backed roadmap to top-performing outpatient facilities

Mar. 17, 2026 at 9:01am

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U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026 rankings of the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) across the United States. The ratings evaluate over 4,400 ASCs nationwide, with 911 (21%) designated as Best ASCs based on rigorous standards for patient safety and clinical outcomes. The rankings cover specialties including Colonoscopy & Endoscopy, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics & Spine, and Urology, and highlight the top-performing regions for high-quality outpatient care.

Why it matters

As more complex medical procedures shift from hospitals to outpatient surgery centers, patients need reliable data to evaluate their options and find the safest, highest-quality facilities. The U.S. News Best ASC ratings provide a valuable resource to help consumers make informed decisions about their outpatient care.

The details

For the 2026 edition, U.S. News evaluated 4,421 ASCs nationwide in collaboration with data analytics firm Arcadia. Of those, 911 (21%) were designated as Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers based on meeting rigorous standards for patient safety and clinical outcomes. The ratings cover key specialties like Colonoscopy & Endoscopy, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics & Spine, and Urology, and highlight the top-performing ASCs in each area. For example, Best ASCs in Colonoscopy & Endoscopy saw 26% fewer serious complications compared to the overall group, while top-rated Orthopedics & Spine centers had 29% fewer severity-weighted complications.

  • The 2026 Best Ambulatory Surgery Center ratings were released on March 17, 2026.

The players

U.S. News & World Report

A global media company that provides journalism, rankings, and consumer advice across a range of topics including health, education, and personal finance.

Arcadia

A provider of advanced health data insights that collaborated with U.S. News on the 2026 ASC ratings.

Ben Harder

Chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News & World Report.

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What they’re saying

“As more complex procedures move out of the hospital and into community-based surgery centers, patients need a reliable way to evaluate their options. U.S. News' ratings are designed to give consumers peace of mind by highlighting the centers that consistently provide the highest level of care, from the moment a patient checks in to their successful recovery at home.”

— Ben Harder, Chief of health analysis and managing editor (U.S. News & World Report)

What’s next

The full searchable directory of the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers for 2026 is available on the U.S. News & World Report website, and regional highlights can be found there as well.

The takeaway

The U.S. News Best Ambulatory Surgery Center ratings provide a valuable resource for patients seeking high-quality, safe outpatient care as more medical procedures shift to community-based surgery centers. The data-driven rankings cover key specialties and highlight the top-performing regions, empowering consumers to make informed decisions about their healthcare.