Foreign Students In Us Universities: A Comprehensive Overview

The United States is a popular destination for international students seeking higher education. During the 2022-2023 academic year, there were over 1 million international students enrolled in US colleges and universities, with some sources stating the number to be as high as 1,126,690. This number has been steadily climbing for decades and reflects a strong rebound from the sharp decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. International students make up about 5.6% of the total US student population and contributed around $40 billion to the American economy in 2022-2023.

International students in the US increased by 11.5% in 2022-23

International students in US colleges and universities increased by 11.5% in 2022-23, marking the fastest growth rate in more than 40 years. The total number of international students in the US during the 2022-23 academic year was 1,057,188, up from 948,519 in 2021-22. This number includes around 858,400 international students enrolled in academic programs and an additional 198,793 students who were completing optional practical training (OPT) after graduating.

The increase in international students is a rebound from the sharp decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall of 2020, international student enrollment saw dramatic declines due to countrywide travel bans and rapidly shifting ICE rules. The number of international students in the US fell from about 1,075,000 in 2019-20 to about 914,000 the following year. However, there were signs of a rebound just a year later, with an 8% increase in total international students in the US in the fall of 2021.

The US remains the top choice for students seeking higher education abroad, with its nearly 4,000 accredited institutions of higher education. The country offers a wide range of options for international students, from two-year community colleges to four-year universities and beyond. The US government and American colleges and universities are eager to welcome international students, and the country's top universities and cutting-edge research opportunities are a significant draw.

In terms of fields of study, the majority (55-56%) of international students in the US majored in STEM fields during the 2022-23 academic year. Math and computer science continued to grow as the leading field of study, with around 240,000 international students (23-25%). Other popular fields included business and management (14-15%), social sciences (8%), physical and life sciences (8%), and fine and applied arts (5%).

The top countries of origin for international students in the US are China and India. In the 2023-24 academic year, India surpassed China as the leading place of origin, with 331,602 international students in the US, reflecting a 23% increase from the prior year. China was the second-leading place of origin, with 277,398 students, a 4% decline. South Korea ranked third with 43,847 students, followed by Canada (27,876), Vietnam (21,900), and Taiwan. Other countries that saw significant increases in international enrollment in US institutions were Nigeria (up 22%) and Japan (up 19%).

China and India are the top two source countries

In the 2022/23 academic year, there were over 1 million international students studying in US universities. This number increased by 12% in the 2023/24 academic year, with a total of 1,126,690 international students from 210 places of origin. China and India are the top two source countries, with India recently surpassing China as the leading source of international students in the US.

In the 2023/24 academic year, India sent 331,602 students to the US, reflecting a 23% increase from the previous year. This increase was driven by a rise in the number of Indian students enrolling in graduate and Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs. Indian students are attracted to the US by its top universities and cutting-edge research opportunities, particularly in fields such as engineering, computer science, and business. The US job market, especially in the tech and business sectors, is also a major draw for Indian students. In addition, the ability to remain in the US on a student visa and work for one year on OPT or two extra years on a STEM OPT is an incentive for Indian students to choose the US as a study destination.

China was the second-largest sender of students to the US in the 2023/24 academic year, with a total of 277,398 students. This number represented a 4% decline from the previous year. Despite this decrease, China remains a significant source of international students for the US, particularly at the undergraduate and non-degree levels. Chinese students pursuing OPT programs increased by 12% in the 2023/24 academic year, indicating a growing interest in gaining practical work experience in the US.

Together, India and China account for over half of all international students in the United States, highlighting the importance of these two countries as source markets for US higher education institutions. The increasing number of students from these countries contributes significantly to the diversity and economic impact of international students in the US.

International students make up 5.6% of the US student population

International students are an integral part of the US student population, comprising 5.6% of all college students in the country. This equates to a total of approximately 1,057,190 international students in the US during the 2022-2023 academic year. This number includes both enrolled students and those participating in optional practical training (OPT) after graduation.

The number of international students in the US has been steadily climbing for decades, with the country hosting almost twice as many visiting college students as the next leading destination. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decline in international student enrollment, with the number dropping by 15% between 2019 and 2020—the steepest decline ever recorded. However, international student enrollment is now on the rebound, with the 2022-2023 academic year seeing an 11.5% increase in international students compared to the previous year.

The US remains the top choice for students seeking higher education abroad, with its diverse range of accredited institutions and global leadership in the field. The country's commitment to ensuring international students feel at home, along with its cutting-edge research opportunities and attractive job market, makes it a highly desirable destination for learners worldwide.

During the 2023/2024 academic year, the US welcomed an all-time high of more than 1.1 million international students from over 210 places of origin. This number includes 298,705 new international students, matching pre-pandemic levels. The majority of these students pursued STEM fields, with math and computer science being the leading field of study.

The top three countries of origin for international students in the US are China, India, and South Korea. India has seen a remarkable 35% increase in the number of students choosing the US for their higher education, while China has experienced a slight decline in enrollment.

The US hosted 1.1 million international students in 2023-24

The United States witnessed a record high of over 1.1 million international students in its higher education institutions during the 2023-2024 academic year. This number reflects a 7% increase from the previous year, marking the highest growth rate in more than 40 years. The total international enrollment stood at 1,126,690, with 298,705 new international students, matching the pre-pandemic levels.

The United States remains the top choice for students seeking higher education abroad, with its nearly 4,000 accredited institutions across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The country's diverse educational offerings, ranging from two-year community colleges to four-year universities and beyond, make it a highly desirable destination for international students. This trend is further supported by the rebound in international student enrollment, which had previously declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The leading places of origin for international students in the U.S. are India and China, which together contributed more than half (54%) of all international students in the 2023-2024 academic year. India surpassed China as the top sender, with a 23% increase in enrollment, driven by increases in graduate and Optional Practical Training (OPT) levels. Eight of the top 25 places of origin, including Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain, reached all-time highs in international student numbers.

The majority of international students in the U.S. pursued STEM fields, with math and computer science being the leading choice for one in four students (25%). Engineering was the second most popular field, attracting nearly one in five students (19%). Other popular fields of study included business and management (14%), physical and life sciences (8%), social sciences (8%), and fine and applied arts (5%).

The presence of international students in the U.S. extends beyond the classroom and has a significant economic impact. In 2022-2023, international students contributed approximately $40 billion to the American economy. Their presence not only enriches the academic environment by bringing diverse perspectives but also strengthens the country's reputation as a global leader in higher education.

The majority of international students study STEM subjects

The United States is a popular destination for international students, with over a million foreign students in US colleges and universities during the 2022-2023 academic year, marking an almost 12% increase from the previous year. This number rose to 1,126,690 in the 2023/2024 academic year. The US has nearly 4,000 accredited institutions of higher education, and its appeal to international students is due to its global leadership in higher education, ranging from two-year community colleges to four-year universities and beyond.

International students have been a driving force behind US leadership in research and innovation, and they have also advanced US foreign policy, diplomacy, and homeland security goals. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately half of the one million international students in the US are enrolled in STEM programs. Even though they make up only 5% of the total student population, international students earned nearly half of all master's and doctoral STEM degrees awarded in 2019, totalling 117,000 degrees.

In the 2023/2024 academic year, 56% of international students studied in STEM fields, with math and computer science being the leading field of study, chosen by one in four students. Engineering was also a popular choice, with nearly one in five students opting for this field. Other STEM-related subjects, such as physical and life sciences, were chosen by 8% of international students.

The preference for STEM subjects among international students is also evident in the data from India, the second-largest sender of students to the US. According to OpenDoors' 2021 report, out of 167,582 Indian applicants, 33.5% chose to pursue Engineering, while 34.8% chose Math or Computer Science as their field of study.

The presence of STEM-focused international students in the US classroom, communities, and workforce is essential, considering that China produces four times as many bachelor's students and twice as many graduate and PhD students in STEM than the US each year. International students contribute significantly to the US economy, adding up to $33.8 billion and supporting more than 335,000 jobs during the 2021-2022 school year.

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