What these numbers are, and what they are not
These are the scores of applicants the program invited to interview in the latest cycle data we hold, as reported through Residency Explorer (AAMC). They are not the scores of residents who matched. "IMG" here means international medical graduates who are not US citizens or permanent residents (Residency Explorer calls them non-US IMGs). Each range is the median across programs of that program's lowest score, 25th percentile, median, 75th percentile and highest score, so it describes a typical program, not one specific program.
IMG, US IMG and US MD applicants compared
Across all specialties, interviewed IMGs have a median of 248, against 250 for US MDs and 236 for US citizen IMGs.
| Applicant group | Lowest | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-US IMG | 228 | 238 | 248 | 257 | 265 |
| US citizen IMG | 221 | 228 | 236 | 246 | 255 |
| US MD | 233 | 241 | 250 | 259 | 266 |
Step 2 CK scores by specialty
5 of the 11 specialties with both groups reported have an IMG median above the US MD median. Use the 25th to 75th percentile column as your realistic range, and the gap column to see how far above or below US MDs the invited IMGs sit.
| Specialty | Programs reporting IMG scores | IMG 25th to 75th percentile | IMG median | US MD median | US MD minus IMG median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesiology | 13 | 249 to 264 | 258 | 254 | -4 |
| Radiology-Diagnostic | 19 | 245 to 264 | 257 | 257 | 0 |
| Surgery | 47 | 245 to 263 | 256 | 253 | -3 |
| Neurology | 75 | 243 to 264 | 253 | 251 | -2 |
| Internal Medicine | 383 | 242 to 259 | 251 | 246 | -5 |
| Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical | 51 | 239 to 257 | 249 | 248 | -1 |
| Transitional Year | 13 | 239 to 257 | 247 | 257 | +10 |
| Psychiatry | 39 | 234 to 259 | 246 | 246 | 0 |
| Pediatrics | 127 | 235 to 255 | 245 | 245 | 0 |
| Child Neurology | 15 | 233 to 251 | 242 | 249 | +7 |
| Family Medicine | 175 | 228 to 246 | 236 | 240 | +4 |
The programs with the highest IMG scores
These 10 programs have the highest median Step 2 CK among the IMGs they invited. If your score is well below these, your application time is better spent elsewhere.
| Program | Specialty | State | IMG median | IMG 25th percentile | Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass General Brigham/Brigham and Women's Hospital Program | Internal Medicine | MA | 269 | 264 | J-1, H-1B |
| Mass General Brigham/Massachusetts General Hospital Program | Internal Medicine | MA | 268 | 260 | J-1, H-1B |
| University of Kansas School of Medicine Program | Internal Medicine | KS | 268 | 263 | J-1 |
| Prime Midwest GME Consortium/Saint Francis Hospital Program | Internal Medicine | IL | 267 | 260 | J-1 |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science (Jacksonville) Program | Internal Medicine | FL | 266 | 252 | J-1, H-1B |
| University of Central Florida/HCA Florida Healthcare (Ocala) Program | Surgery | FL | 266 | 262 | J-1 |
| University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Program | Internal Medicine | TX | 266 | 257 | J-1 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center Program | Internal Medicine | TN | 266 | 251 | J-1, H-1B |
| AdventHealth Florida (Orlando) Program | Internal Medicine | FL | 265 | 255 | J-1, H-1B |
| Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital Program | Internal Medicine | MI | 265 | 259 | J-1 |
The programs with the lowest IMG scores
These 10 programs invited IMGs with the lowest medians. Some of these medians rest on a small number of interviewed IMGs, so treat them as a hint and not a promise.
| Program | Specialty | State | IMG median | IMG 25th percentile | Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMC Health Medical Education Program, Inc. (THMEP) Program | Pediatrics | AZ | 225 | 219 | J-1 |
| Mississippi Medical Education and Research Consortium Program | Family Medicine | MS | 226 | 219 | None listed |
| Indiana Regional Medical Center Program | Family Medicine | PA | 227 | 216 | J-1 |
| Rutgers Health Program | Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical | NJ | 227 | 223 | J-1 |
| Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, Ltd. Program | Family Medicine | TX | 228 | 224 | J-1 |
| University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine Program | Internal Medicine | HI | 228 | 221 | J-1 |
| Beebe Healthcare Program | Family Medicine | DE | 229 | 219 | J-1 |
| Broward Health Program | Pediatrics | FL | 229 | 224 | J-1 |
| Texas Tech University HSC El Paso/Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus Program | Family Medicine | TX | 229 | 222 | None listed |
| Trinity Health Livonia Hospital/Wayne State University Program | Family Medicine | MI | 229 | 226 | J-1 |
For the full list of programs that interview IMGs at your own score, see which programs interview IMGs at your Step 2 CK score. To see which of them also need a stated minimum, read step 2 CK minimum scores and cut-offs by specialty.
How to use this
- Find your specialty and compare your Step 2 CK with the 25th percentile. Below it, apply widely and add backup options.
- Between the 25th percentile and the median is a realistic range. Above the 75th percentile you are a strong candidate there.
- Do not rule out a specialty from one number: the programs in the lowest list show that ranges vary a lot between programs.
- Check visa sponsorship before you spend money on applications: see the visa guide.
- Create a free account to apply these ranges to every program at once, using your own score.
Sources
- ResidencyPrograms.io program data for the current application cycle, from Residency Explorer (AAMC) and program-reported requirements, refreshed November 4, 2026.
- Residency Explorer: AAMC.