Foreign Students: Acceptance Rates At Top Us Universities

The United States is a popular destination for international students seeking higher education, with a record high of 974,900 students in 2015, according to the 2015 Open Doors report. The country's top universities attract a large number of international students, with some institutions having a higher acceptance rate of foreign applicants than others. The average acceptance rate for international students across 164 ranked National Universities was 42.5% for fall 2022, but some universities had rates as high as 98%. The University of Mississippi, for example, accepted 98% of its international applicants for fall 2022, while the University of Kentucky accepted 97%.

International student enrollment in the US has been on a rebound since the COVID-19 pandemic, with around 858,400 international students enrolled in higher education during the 2022-2023 academic year. The majority of international students in the US come from China and India, with a significant presence also seen from countries in Africa and Asia.

International students in the US: where are they from?

The United States is a popular destination for international students, with numbers steadily increasing from 1.5% of total enrolments in the 1960s to 5.5% in the early 2020s. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the US hosted over a million international students, marking a 12% jump from the previous year. This is the fastest growth rate in more than 40 years.

The majority of international students in the US are from Asia, which accounts for 75% of the total. The two largest sending countries are China and India, which together make up over half of the total number of international students in the US. In the 2023-2024 academic year, there were more than 330,000 Chinese students and 337,630 Indian students in the US.

Other major sending countries include South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Vietnam, Taiwan, Brazil, Japan, and Mexico. In recent years, there has also been a significant increase in the number of students from sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa being the top sending countries from the region.

International students are attracted to the US by the quality of its universities and the opportunities in the country's job market. The US is also a popular destination due to its well-funded institutions, extensive academic programs, and the promise of gaining "American experience" for personal and professional advancement.

International students in the US: where do they study?

The USA has the world's largest international student population, with more than a million students choosing to study at a US college or university. This number has been steadily increasing over the years, with a record high of 974,900 international students in 2015, and over a million in the 2022-2023 academic year.

International students in the US are spread out across the country's 4,500 or so degree-granting institutions. The top US universities for international students include:

• Illinois Institute of Technology: Ranked 15th in the world for the proportion of international students. The university's graduate school is particularly diverse, with 65% of graduate students coming from overseas and 100 nationalities represented overall.
• Carnegie Mellon University: Ranked 24th for the proportion of international students. The university is home to 13,650 students representing 114 countries, with 58% of graduate students coming from outside the US.
• Stevens Institute of Technology: Ranked 51st for the proportion of international students. The university has a diverse student population, drawn from over 50 countries worldwide.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): Ranked 65th for the proportion of international students. MIT achieves a strong score for the diversity of its students, with 3,289 of its 11,331 students being international, including 42% of graduate students.
• The New School: Around 32% of its students come from overseas, and around 116 countries are represented.
• Northeastern University: Located in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern University has 18,000 undergraduates, of which 3,400 are international.
• Columbia University: Columbia University has a large number of overseas students, with 32% of its 30,300 students coming from outside the US.
• Rice University: Almost half of its students (3,298 out of 6,623) came from abroad in recent years.
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Caltech has a very good student-faculty ratio and achieves a high ranking for its proportion of international faculty members.
• Georgia Institute of Technology: More than 3,000 of its 20,600 students come from outside the US.

International students in the US can also choose to begin their academic journey at a community college, which offers a great education at a fraction of the cost of universities.

International students in the US: how many are enrolled?

The US is the top choice for students seeking higher education abroad. The country hosted more than a million international college students during the 2022-2023 academic year, according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. This number marks an almost 12% jump from the previous year, and the fastest growth rate in more than 40 years.

International student enrollment statistics

Around 858,400 international students were enrolled in US higher education in 2022-2023. Another 198,793 were gaining work experience closely related to their degree for a limited period after graduating. The number of international students increased by around 11.5% compared to the previous academic year.

International students by country of origin

The majority of international students studying in the US are from China and India, totalling 289,526 and 268,923 students respectively in the 2022-23 school year.

International students by degree type

In the 2022-2023 school year, there were about 120,000 more international students enrolled in graduate programs than undergraduate programs.

International students by field of study

Among international students in the US during the 2022-2023 academic year, the five most common fields of study were:

• Math and computer science (23%)
• Business and management (15%)
• Multi/interdisciplinary studies, liberal arts, and general studies (8%)
• Social sciences (8%)

US universities with the most international students

York University has the highest number of international students at any US university, with more than 30% of its student population from abroad. At Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, international students make up more than half of all students on campus.

International students in the US: how many are accepted?

The US remains the top choice for students seeking higher education abroad. The country hosted more than a million international college students during the 2022-2023 academic year, according to the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. This figure represents an almost 12% jump from the previous year—the fastest growth rate in more than 40 years.

The number of international students in the US has been climbing for decades, with the exception of a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2022-2023 school year, there were 858,395 international students enrolled in higher education in the US. This figure does not include the 198,793 international students who were working in fields related to their studies for a limited period after graduating. Including these students, the total number of international students in the US during the 2022-2023 academic year was nearly 1,057,190.

The majority of international students in the US are from China and India, totalling 289,526 and 268,923 students respectively in the 2022-2023 school year. In addition to China and India, the countries with the highest number of students in the US are Nepal, South Korea, and Vietnam.

International students tend to concentrate in three states: New York, California, and Texas. York University in New York has the highest number of international students of any university in the US, with more than 30% of its student population hailing from abroad. At Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, international students make up more than half of all students on campus.

Among the 164 ranked National Universities that received at least 500 international applicants for fall 2022, the average acceptance rate for international students was 42.5%. However, at some institutions, the acceptance rate was significantly higher. For example, the University of Mississippi accepted 98% of international applicants for fall 2022.

International students in the US: how much does it cost?

The cost of studying in the US for international students varies depending on factors such as the type of institution, the course, and the location.

Tuition Fees

International students in the US typically pay significantly more in tuition fees than domestic students. The cost of tuition also depends on the type of institution, with community colleges being the cheapest option, followed by public colleges, and private colleges being the most expensive.

According to one source, undergraduate international students pay on average:

• $15,000–$35,000 per year at a public university
• $30,000–$45,000 per year at a private college

Another source gives a broader range of $10,000–$55,000 per year for international students, with the cost depending on the institution and program.

For postgraduate courses, international students usually pay:

• $15,000–$35,000 per year at public colleges
• $30,000–$50,000 per year at private colleges

Accommodation

On-campus accommodation, or residence, is often called a "dorm room" and students usually share with 2 or 3 others. This can cost between $5,000 and $8,000 per year.

Off-campus, students can share an apartment or live alone. The cost of renting an apartment depends on the location, with the Midwest being cheaper than the East and Northeast. A single-bedroom apartment typically costs between $5,000 and $15,000 per year.

Other Costs

Other costs to consider when studying in the US include:

• Visa fees: There is a non-refundable SEVP fee of $350 and a visa application fee of $160.
• Travel: The cost of a one-way flight to the US is around $650–$1,000.
• Insurance: Health insurance is mandatory for international students and can cost around $30–$140 per month, depending on age and the package.
• Textbooks and other fees: Textbooks and other fees can cost around $500–$1,000 per year.
• Living expenses: This includes food, utilities, internet, and transportation. A good estimate for living expenses is $10,000–$12,000 per year.

Total Cost

The total cost of studying in the US for international students can reach up to five figures, with one source giving an estimate of $20,000–$60,000 per year. Another source gives an average annual cost of $24,243 for international students.

Financial Aid

Studying in the US can be expensive, but there are various options for financial aid, including scholarships, grants, international student loans, and work income. Many universities offer financial aid, and there are also specific scholarships for international students.

Frequently asked questions