4 Top Caribbean Medical Schools Accredited In All US

Wondering which Caribbean medical schools are accredited in all 50 U.S. states? This post lists these schools and also runs a comparative assessment among them. The schools include: St. George’s University, American University of the Caribbean, Ross University School of Medicine, and American University of Antigua— these are top Caribbean med schools recognized across the United States.

To be considered accredited in all 50 states, a Caribbean medical school must:

• Be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).

• Have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education through the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA).

• Be approved by California, New York, and Florida, as these states have the strictest licensure requirements.

• Have its graduates qualify for residency programs in the U.S. and the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination).

Caribbean Medical Schools Accredited in All 50 U.S. States

1. St. George’s University (SGU) – Grenada

• Founded: 1976

• Location: True Blue, Grenada

• Accreditation:

  • CAAM-HP (Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions)

  • Approved by California, New York, Florida, and Texas

• Highlights:

  • One of the largest Caribbean medical schools

  • Clinical rotations available in the U.S., UK, and Canada

  • Strong residency match rates in the U.S.

2. American University of the Caribbean (AUC) – Sint Maarten

• Founded: 1978

• Location: Cupecoy, Sint Maarten

• Accreditation:

  • Accredited by ACCM (Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine)

  • Approved in California, New York, and Florida

• Highlights:

  • Owned by Adtalem Global Education (same as Ross)

  • Strong U.S. residency placements

  • U.S.-modeled curriculum

3. Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) – Barbados

• Founded: 1978 (relocated to Barbados in 2019)

• Location: Bridgetown, Barbados

• Accreditation:

  • CAAM-HP accredited

  • Approved by California, New York, and Florida

• Highlights:

  • Over 15,000 alumni practicing worldwide

  • Clinical rotations in the U.S.

  • Excellent residency match support

4. American University of Antigua (AUA) – Antigua and Barbuda

• Founded: 2004

• Location: Antigua

• Accreditation:

  • Accredited by CAAM-HP

  • Recognized by the Medical Board of California, New York, and Florida

• Highlights:

  • Affiliated with Florida International University (FIU) for clinical training

  • High USMLE Step 1 pass rates

  • Focus on diversity and inclusion

Detailed Overview of the Schools

Here is a detailed overview of the four Caribbean medical schools accredited in all 50 U.S. states. Each school is reviewed for its academics, licensure eligibility, tuition, outcomes, and support.

1. St. George’s University (SGU) – Grenada

Overview:
Founded in 1976, SGU is widely recognized as the largest and most established Caribbean medical school. Its main campus in Grenada offers a U.S.-modeled curriculum and clinical rotations in top hospitals across the United States and the UK.

Accreditation & Recognition:

• Accredited by CAAM-HP

• Approved by the California Medical Board, New York State Education Department, and Florida Department of Education

• Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with ECFMG eligibility

• Recognized by the NCFMEA

Academic Excellence:
SGU boasts a robust academic support system with resources like:

• Small group learning

• Peer tutoring

• Exam simulations

• USMLE prep courses

Residency Success:

• 2024 Match Rate: 93%

• Alumni matched in specialties like internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and surgery

• Partnered with over 70 hospitals in the U.S. and the UK

USMLE Performance:

• USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate: 94%

• Comprehensive prep integrated into the curriculum

Tuition & Fees:

• Estimated annual tuition: $67,000

• Scholarships available for international and U.S. students

Pros:

• Global recognition
• High match rate
• U.S.-focused clinical training
• Large alumni network (~20,000 physicians worldwide)

Cons:

• High tuition
• Large class sizes may impact the student-to-faculty ratio

Read Also: What Classes Are Required in College? Guide for First-Year Students

2. American University of the Caribbean (AUC) – Sint Maarten

Overview:
AUC was founded in 1978 and is now located in Sint Maarten. It is owned by Adtalem Global Education, the same parent company as Ross University. AUC maintains a strong academic curriculum based on U.S. standards with a focus on small class sizes and personalized learning.

Accreditation & Recognition:

• Accredited by ACCM (recognized by NCFMEA)

• Approved in California, New York, and Florida

• ECFMG certification eligible

Clinical Rotations:

• Partnerships with teaching hospitals in the U.S. and the UK

• Full clinical year available in the U.S.

Residency Success:

• 2024 Match Rate: 92%

• Notable placements in internal medicine, psychiatry, and emergency medicine

USMLE Performance:

• USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate: 91%

• Dedicated Step 1 coaching

Tuition & Fees:

• Estimated annual tuition: $60,000

• Merit and need-based aid are available

Pros:

• Small class sizes
• Strong student support
• U.S. clinical exposure
• Well-established rotation network

Cons:

• Hurricane risk (based in the Caribbean)
• Limited on-campus research opportunities

3. Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) – Barbados

Overview:
Ross University relocated from Dominica to Barbados in 2019. It is among the oldest and most successful Caribbean medical schools. Like AUC, Ross is owned by Adtalem and has deep U.S. hospital affiliations.

Accreditation & Recognition:

• Accredited by CAAM-HP

• Approved by California, New York, and Florida

• ECFMG and NCFMEA recognized

Clinical Training:

• Over 40 affiliated hospitals in the U.S.

• Clinical training begins in the third year

Residency Success:

• 2024 Match Rate: 95%

• Matches in specialties including anesthesiology, family medicine, and OB/GYN

USMLE Performance:

• USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate: 96%

• Integrated NBME practice exams and Kaplan-style reviews

Tuition & Fees:

• Estimated annual tuition: $61,000

• Grants and loans are available

Pros:

• High USMLE performance
• Strong clinical partnerships
• High residency placement
• Curriculum aligned with U.S. MD programs

Cons:

• The cost of living in Barbados may be high
• High tuition

4. American University of Antigua (AUA) – Antigua and Barbuda

Overview:
AUA is a newer Caribbean medical school, founded in 2004, but it has quickly risen in reputation. It is recognized for its partnership with Florida International University (FIU) and a mission to promote diversity in medicine.

Accreditation & Recognition:

• Accredited by CAAM-HP

• Approved by California, New York, and Florida

• Listed in WDOMS, ECFMG-certified

Partnerships & Clinical Rotations:

• FIU collaboration offers clinical training and U.S. faculty exposure

• Rotations mostly in U.S. hospitals

Residency Success:

• 2024 Match Rate: 90%

• Graduates matched in family medicine, internal medicine, and general surgery

USMLE Performance:

• USMLE Step 1 Pass Rate: 89%

• Custom study plans and full-time academic advisors

Tuition & Fees:

• Estimated annual tuition: $59,000

• Scholarships for minorities, veterans, and international students

Pros:

• Affordable among the top four
• Inclusive learning environment
• U.S.-based rotations through the FIU partnership

Cons:

• Newer and smaller alumni network
• Slightly lower USMLE scores than peers

Important Notes

• These schools meet California Medical Board approval, which is often used as a benchmark for U.S. state medical licensure eligibility.

• Always confirm with the state medical board you intend to practice in for the most recent accreditation and licensure status.

• Schools not meeting the “all 50 states” benchmark may still be viable for many U.S. states, but not the most restrictive ones, like California and Texas.

Why So Few Schools Qualify?

To be recognized in all 50 states, a medical school must:

1. Be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with an ECFMG sponsor note.

2. Be accredited by an agency recognized by the NCFMEA (U.S. Department of Education).

3. Be specifically approved by California, New York (clinical training approval), and Florida.

4. Offer clinical rotations in U.S.-approved hospitals.

5. Have a strong USMLE pass rate and graduate outcomes that match U.S. residency placement requirements.

Read Also: Do Colleges Look at Freshman Grades?

Caribbean Medical Schools Currently Recognized in All 50 U.S. States in 2025

Based on current data and recognition by California, NY, FL, and NCFMEA-approved accreditation bodies, here’s the most updated list:

These four schools consistently meet the highest standards required for licensure eligibility in all 50 U.S. states.

What About Other Caribbean Medical Schools?

There are other well-known Caribbean schools, but they do not meet the “all 50 states” threshold — at least not yet. For example:

These schools may be excellent options depending on your goals, but they cannot guarantee unrestricted licensure in all 50 states.

Why Is California Approval So Important?

California has the strictest approval process in the U.S. It evaluates foreign medical schools based on:

• Curriculum

• Faculty credentials

• Clinical rotation sites

• Graduate outcomes

If a school is approved by California, it is usually eligible for licensure in Texas, Alaska, and most other states that use California’s list as a reference.

Side-by-side comparison of the four Caribbean medical schools accredited in all 50 U.S. states

Table 1: General Overview

Table 2: Admission Requirements

Table 3: Academic Metrics & Support

Table 4: Campus Facilities & Lifestyle

Summary Table: At a Glance