Lori Meadows
The United States is a popular study destination, attracting a record high of 974,900 students in 2015, with numbers reaching over 1 million in subsequent years. In 2023/2024, there were 298,705 new international students, with international graduates and students on OPT reaching record highs. The majority of international students in the US are from China and India, with a total of 289,526 and 268,923 students respectively in 2022/2023. The top US universities with the highest number of international students include Columbia University, with 32% of its 30,300 students coming from outside the US, and Carnegie Mellon University, where international students make up more than half of the student population. The Illinois Institute of Technology, ranked 15th in the world for the proportion of international students, has a diverse graduate school, with 65% of graduate students from overseas and 100 nationalities represented.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of foreign students in the US in 2015 | 974,900 |
| Number of foreign students in the US in 2022/23 | 467,027 |
| Number of new foreign students in the US in 2023/24 | 298,705 |
| Number of foreign graduate students in the US in 2023/24 | 502,291 |
| Number of foreign students in OPT in the US in 2023/24 | 242,782 |
| Number of foreign undergraduate students in the US in 2023/24 | 342,875 |
| US university with the highest number of foreign students | York University |
| US university with the highest percentage of foreign students | Illinois Institute of Technology |
| US university with over 50% of foreign students | Carnegie Mellon University |
| US university with 32% of foreign students | Columbia University |
| US administration that revoked foreign student visas | Trump administration |
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What You'll Learn
International students in the US by country of origin
The United States is the world's most popular study destination, attracting a record number of international students. In 2015, 974,900 international students were studying in the US, and this number was expected to reach one million in the near future.
The top US universities with the most international students include Columbia University in New York City, with 32% of its 30,300 students coming from outside the US. The Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago has a high proportion of international students, with over 1,000 students from minority groups out of a total enrolment of almost 8,000. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has a diverse student body, with 58% of its 13,650 students coming from outside the US, representing 114 countries.
In the 2022/23 school year, the majority of international students in the US were from China and India, totalling 289,526 and 268,923 students, respectively. There were 467,027 international graduate students in the US during this period, accounting for over one-third of all international students in the country. Engineering, math, and computer science programs were among the most common fields of study for these students.
The US Department of State's EducationUSA network has over 430 international student advising centres in more than 175 countries and territories. This network promotes the diversity of US higher education and helps international students find their best fit.
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US immigration policies and visa revocations
The United States is the world's most popular study destination, attracting a record high of 974,900 international students in 2015. This number is expected to reach one million in the near future. The majority of these international students come from China and India, with 289,526 and 268,923 students respectively in the 2022/23 school year. Foreign students in the US pay some of the highest fees, with an average of $24,914 for tuition alone.
The US government has been tightening its immigration policies, and international students have been affected by this. In 2025, the Trump administration revoked the legal statuses of hundreds of foreign students, putting them at risk of deportation. This was done by removing their records from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a database that monitors compliance with visa terms and records foreign students' personal information. Over 280 colleges and universities identified more than 1,800 students and recent graduates who had their legal status changed.
The State Department cited a rarely-used rationale from Section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, stating that the students' presence could have "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences" for the US. University officials have reported inconsistent notification patterns, with some students and universities not being informed of the revocations at all. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also been implicated in revoking student visas and terminating the legal status of international students, even those not connected to campus activism or with no criminal history.
While the Trump administration later announced it would restore the legal statuses of these students, it was only temporary, and the administration is developing a new policy that could lead to future terminations. The impact of these visa revocations has caused uncertainty and anxiety for international students, and there are concerns about the potential economic impact, as foreign students contributed $44 billion to the US economy in 2024.
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Top US universities with the most international students
The United States is the world's most popular study destination, attracting a record high of 974,900 international students in 2015, according to the 2015 Open Doors report. This number is expected to reach one million in the near future. The majority of international students in the US are from China and India, with 289,526 and 268,923 students, respectively, in the 2022/23 school year.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT achieves a strong score for the diversity of its students and is the highest-ranked US university in the indicator assessing the proportion of international faculty members. Approximately 3,289 of MIT's 11,331 students are international, including 42% of graduate students. The university welcomed 539 exchange, visiting, and special students in 2015-2016. MIT is known for its need-blind policy and generous financial aid.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Caltech has a student population of around 2,255 and receives a strong score for its high proportion of international faculty members. It has a favourable student-faculty ratio of three to one and achieves third place in the entire index for this indicator.
Columbia University
Located in New York City, Columbia University has a large number of overseas students, with 32% of its 30,300 students coming from outside the US. The university is home to the student-led Columbia University Partnership for International Development (CUPID), which fosters multidisciplinary discussion, awareness, and action in multinational development and relief.
Carnegie Mellon University
Ranked 24th for proportion of international students, Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is home to 13,650 students representing 114 countries, with 58% of graduate students coming from outside the US. International students make up more than half of all students on campus.
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
Ranked 15th in the world for the proportion of international students, IIT in Chicago receives a perfect score of 100 in the 'International Students' indicator of the rankings. Out of a total enrolment of almost 8,000 students, IIT includes over 1,000 from minority groups, with 65% of graduate students coming from overseas and 100 nationalities represented overall.
Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)
More than 3,000 of Georgia Tech's 20,600 students come from outside the US. The university also operates five satellite campuses, including one in Metz, France, and offers international exchange programs with universities such as the National University of Singapore.
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The number of international students in the US over time
International students have been coming to the United States since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the earliest being from China and Japan. The US is the world's most popular study destination, attracting a record high of 974,900 students in 2015, according to the 2015 Open Doors report. The number of international students in the US has been increasing over time, with a small decrease in 2004, 2005, and 2019. In 2018, the number of international students in the US reached its highest point at 1,095,299.
In the 2022/23 school year, the majority of international students in the US were from China and India, totalling 289,526 and 268,923 students, respectively. In the same year, there were 467,027 international graduate students in the US, accounting for over one-third of all international students in the country. The number of international students in the US continued to increase, with over a half million international graduate students (502,291) pursuing studies in the country in 2023/2024, an 8% increase and an all-time high. Additionally, the number of international students who remained in the US to gain practical work experience through Optional Practical Training (OPT) reached a record high of 242,782 students, a 22% increase from the previous year.
The number of new international students enrolling at US colleges and universities for the first time remained robust, with 298,705 new international students in 2023/2024, matching the previous year's total. In 2024/25, there was a 3% rise in international student enrollment across US institutions, with undergraduate enrollments increasing by 6% and graduate enrollments decreasing by 2%. The Illinois Institute of Technology, also known as Illinois Tech or IIT, is the leading US university for international students, receiving a perfect score of 100 in the 'International Students' indicator of the rankings. Located in Chicago, IIT's total enrollment of almost 8,000 students includes over 1,000 from minority groups.
International students make significant contributions to the US economy, both historically and in the present. Their tuition payments and living expenses support job creation, stimulate local economies, and provide essential revenue to universities. In 2022-2023, international students' financial contributions helped support over 368,000 jobs nationwide. Indian students alone contributed $5.01 billion to the US economy in 2015-2016. As of 2025, the US hosts more than 1.1 million international students at higher education institutions, an all-time high.
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The benefits of international students for US universities
The United States is the world's most popular study destination, with almost one million international students in 2015, a number likely to increase in the coming years. The leading US university for international students is the Illinois Institute of Technology, with 65% of its graduate students coming from overseas and 100 nationalities represented overall. Columbia University in New York City also has a large number of overseas students, with 32% of its 30,300 students coming from outside the US.
International students bring several benefits to US universities, including:
Diversity and Cultural Exchange
A diverse campus prepares students for life in a globalized world and fosters a lively and productive learning experience. International students bring different perspectives and cultural backgrounds, enriching the campus culture and creating opportunities for unique cross-cultural exchanges. This helps domestic students learn about other countries and gain a better understanding of international issues, foreign affairs, and immigration issues. It also enhances their interpersonal and communication skills, making them better active listeners and critical thinkers.
Academic and Professional Opportunities
International students can attract the 'best and brightest' students from around the world, enhancing the reputation of the university. They also bring diverse academic interests and strengths, fostering a dynamic campus environment. Additionally, international students often pursue advanced degrees, particularly in STEM fields, contributing to research and innovation.
Increased Enrollment and Revenue
Foreign students can increase enrollment numbers, which is beneficial for universities in a competitive market. They also tend to pay higher tuition fees, providing additional revenue for the institution.
Personal Connections and Networks
International students can form strong personal and professional connections with domestic students, creating a global network of alumni that can benefit both groups in their future careers.
Overall, international students bring a range of academic, cultural, and social benefits to US universities, contributing to their success and enhancing the educational experience for all students.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023/2024, there were 298,705 new international students in US colleges and universities, with over 200,000 of these international students attending the top 25 universities in the US.
York University has the highest number of international students, with more than 30% of its student population from abroad. Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, also has more than 30% of its students from outside the US.
International students bring diversity to US universities and enrich campuses with cultural exchange. They also contribute significantly to the US economy, with international students accounting for more than $50 billion in 2023/2024.
