A service of

A red, white, and blue U.S. News and World Report logo.

Showcase your award. Support your strategic goals.

Whether your focus is on growing your sales, recruitment, or building brand recognition, showcasing your ranking from US News can amplify your messaging.

Add badges and emblems to your:

Do U.S. News badges actually influence consumers?

Research says yes: and the impact is measurable.

favorably viewed.
93 %

93% of participants favorably viewed ads with a ranking on a verifiable third-party source, describing the ad as credible.

the impact.
2 x

When viewing an ad for only three seconds, nearly twice as many participants remembered an award when a U.S. News badge was visibly displayed (62.5%) vs. when no badge was displayed (32.6%).

more likely to choose.
94 %

94% of U.S. news survey participants are more likely to choose a hospital because it was rated highly by U.S. News & World Report.

“Inclusion on a respectable third-party list serves as a reputational badge of honor that has been shown to affect consumer decisions, including applications to a law school, visits to a hospital, and even product sales.”

Dr. Mathew Isaac - Chair, Department of Marketing, Seattle University

Sources:

  1. Savvy Consumers May Be More Trusting of Ads Than Marketers Expect | New York Times. Link. Accessed 29 May 2025.
  2. Mothew I. Isaac, Kent Grayson, Beyond Skepticism: Can Accessing Persuasion Knowledge Bolster Credibility?, Journal of Consumer Research, Volume 43, Issue 6, April 2017, Pages 895–912, Link.
  3. Isaac, Mathew, S. A Sign of Trust? The Value of Source Attribution in Accolade Claims, Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding, Vol. 4, No. 2, Aug. 2020, pp. 23–36. Link.
  4. Best Hospitals Rankings & Ratings | U.S. News & World Report. Link. Accessed Nov 17, 2025.

Common Questions

How can my organization display a U.S. News & World Report badge for our website, social media, or other communications?

U.S. News has authorized BrandConnex to provide badges and other award symbols to highly ranked or rated organizations. Contact us at [email protected] to find out what U.S. News badges your organization earned, as well as the options and price points for using them. (Purchasing a badge license from BrandConnex will not affect current or future U.S. News rankings, ratings, or award eligibility.)

Because of such well-known U.S. News rankings as Best Colleges and Best Hospitals, U.S. News badges and emblems are widely recognized as symbols of excellence that are awarded by a trusted, unbiased publisher.

For example, surveys have shown that 94% of people are more likely to choose a hospital because it was ranked or rated highly by U.S. News & World Report versus a hospital that was not. 98% say they are likely to recommend U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings and ratings to their friends and family for their hospital search.

In addition, independent academic research has shown that people who see an ad with a visible badge from U.S. News versus one that did not were more likely to remember the ad with the badge, think of the organization more credibly, and were more likely to choose the organization that showed the badge.

Another study showed that even though consumers today are much more skeptical of advertisements than they were in the past, they actually view some types of advertising positively. Researchers found that mentioning a recent ranking by a third-party source like U.S. News & World Report received the most positive reactions from participants. Consumers described ads that reported a product’s position on a ranked list from a verifiable third-party source as “credible.”

There’s no need to abandon your current messaging in order to promote your award. Many of our clients use U.S. News badges in their posts and promotions without actually mentioning their rankings or ratings. A U.S. News badge provides validation that your organization provides an excellent service or product.

If your organization is not eligible for an award next year or does not license an award, you must remove the badges and emblems from your marketing materials when the new rankings or ratings are published. That said, most organizations continue to license their awards year after year, and many make it a cornerstone of their marketing plan because they find the value speaks for itself. They recognize that a U.S. News badge is a rare gem – a true differentiator in a crowded marketplace.

No. Purchasing a BrandConnex license will have no impact on your current or future U.S. News rankings, ratings, or award eligibility. U.S. News journalists create the rankings and ratings using objective data, without any input from BrandConnex, and they have no role in the licensing of badges or emblems.

Customers trust rankings from U.S. News & World Report

The research shows:

You’ve already earned the recognition. Now make it count.

We’re happy to help:

Abstract art of two people having a conversation via messaging on their phones.

Curious about how we can support your goals?

Start by learning more information: No pressure or obligation to make a purchase.

Abstract art of a man having a video call with four people on his computer screen.

Have questions about a U.S. News ranking or rating?

An agent with experience in your industry can answer your questions and make personalized recommendations.

Abstract art of two people editing a video on their computer.

Would you like a press-release template or other information about how you can promote a U.S. News award?

We provide tailored packages and pricing for your needs.

Make the best use of your award!

Contact us to learn more about how others have leveraged their U.S. News awards.

Please fill out the form below to receive the media kit!