Best Hospitals in St. Louis (2026)
St. Louis is anchored by one of America's great academic medical centers: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the flagship of BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine. Three major nonprofit ...
St. Louis is anchored by one of America's great academic medical centers: Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the flagship of BJC HealthCare and Washington University School of Medicine. Three major nonprofit systems — BJC, SSM Health, and Mercy — compete across the metro. Quality is mixed, with strong 4-star facilities at the top and 1–2 star facilities at the bottom.
This guide ranks St. Louis-area hospitals by CMS star ratings, cost-to-charge ratios, and price transparency — helping you find the right combination of quality and value.
Top 5 Hospitals in St. Louis
| Hospital | CMS Rating | Cost-to-Charge | Priced Procedures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes-Jewish Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | N/A | 102 |
| Christian Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.24 | 137 |
| Mercy Hospital St. Louis | ⭐⭐⭐ | N/A | N/A |
| SSM Health DePaul Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐ | N/A | N/A |
| Mercy Hospital South | ⭐⭐⭐ | N/A | 14 |
Understanding the Rankings
CMS Star Ratings
St. Louis's top general hospitals earn 4 stars: Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Christian Hospital. The 3-star tier includes Mercy Hospital St. Louis, Mercy Hospital South, SSM Health DePaul Hospital, and SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital. SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital earn 2 stars. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital earns just 1 star.
Cost-to-Charge Ratio
HCRIS cost data is limited for many St. Louis facilities. Christian Hospital reports a 0.24 ratio (about 4x markup) — reasonable for a 4-star facility. SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital at 0.21 has a favorable ratio but earns only 1 star. The limited cost data makes direct price comparisons challenging, though the three-system competition should theoretically keep prices in check.
Price Transparency
Christian Hospital leads with 137 priced procedures. Barnes-Jewish Hospital publishes 102 procedures. Transparency varies widely across the metro, with several facilities publishing minimal pricing data.
Best Value Hospitals in St. Louis
- Best overall: Barnes-Jewish Hospital — 4-star, Washington University affiliate, nationally ranked in multiple specialties
- Best value: Christian Hospital — 4-star with 0.24 ratio and 137 priced procedures, a hidden gem in the BJC system
- Best community option: Mercy Hospital St. Louis — 3-star, Mercy's flagship, strong community reputation
- Best Catholic system: SSM Health DePaul Hospital — 3-star, SSM's primary St. Louis facility
- Best for pediatrics: St. Louis Children's Hospital — part of BJC/Washington University, nationally ranked
Price Comparison: Common Procedures in St. Louis
- Lab work (CBC, metabolic panel): $15–$200 depending on facility
- CT scans: $300–$3,500 in the St. Louis metro
- MRI: $400–$4,000+ — freestanding imaging centers offer significant savings
- ER visits: Facility fees from $600 at community hospitals to $2,200+ at academic centers
Compare real prices using Taven's price comparison tool.
St. Louis Hospital System Overview
- BJC HealthCare — Nonprofit system anchored by Barnes-Jewish Hospital (4-star) and Washington University School of Medicine. Barnes-Jewish is consistently ranked in the top 20 nationally. St. Louis Children's Hospital is a top pediatric facility. Christian Hospital (4-star) is a strong community option in north county.
- SSM Health — Catholic nonprofit system operating DePaul Hospital (3-star, Bridgeton), St. Mary's Hospital (2-star, Richmond Heights), Saint Louis University Hospital (1-star), and Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital (2-star). Broad community presence with mixed quality.
- Mercy — Large Catholic nonprofit system. Mercy Hospital St. Louis (3-star) and Mercy Hospital South (3-star) serve the metro. Known for virtual care innovation and community health.
St. Louis's Healthcare Landscape
St. Louis benefits from three-system competition among BJC, SSM, and Mercy — all nonprofits. Barnes-Jewish/Washington University provides world-class academic medicine, while Mercy and SSM offer community-oriented care. The market's nonprofit character and Missouri's moderate cost of living contribute to more reasonable pricing than coastal metros. However, quality varies significantly: the gap between Barnes-Jewish (4-star) and SLU Hospital (1-star) is among the widest in any metro.
Tips for Choosing a Hospital in St. Louis
- Barnes-Jewish is the clear leader for complex care. Academic powerhouse with nationally ranked programs in multiple specialties.
- Christian Hospital is the sleeper pick. 4-star quality with the best cost-to-charge ratio and transparency — a value gem in north county.
- Avoid SSM Health SLU Hospital for elective care. Its 1-star rating and limited transparency are red flags despite its academic affiliation.
- Compare prices before scheduled procedures. Use Taven's comparison tool with real St. Louis data.
- Missouri has moderate patient protections. The federal No Surprises Act applies. Missouri law provides some additional balance billing protections.
- Ask about charity care — All three systems are nonprofits with financial assistance programs.
- Get a Good Faith Estimate before any planned procedure.
- Review your bill. Use our free bill review tool to catch errors and overcharges.
How We Rank Hospitals
Our rankings use CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, cost-to-charge ratios from CMS cost reports, and price transparency compliance data. We don't accept advertising from hospitals. Learn more about our methodology.