Janice Lozano
The United States is home to a diverse academic community, with American universities hosting a large number of international students from across the world. In 2022/2023, there were 467,027 international graduate students in the US, with the majority hailing from China and India. While the US has one of the highest shares of its population educated to the doctoral level, there is a concern that its position is vulnerable due to a combination of fewer Americans wanting to pursue PhDs and a decrease in the number of overseas students. This is further impacted by an increasingly unwelcoming environment towards international students, with tighter visa and immigration rules.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of PhD graduates in the US in 2017 | 71,000 |
| Number of international graduate students in 2022/23 | 467,027 |
| Number of international graduate students from India in 2022/23 | 289,526 |
| Number of international graduate students from China in 2022/23 | 268,923 |
| Number of international graduate students from India in 2022/23 | 165,936 |
| Number of PhDs per million people in the US in 2017 | 280 |
| Percentage of 25- to 64-year-olds with a doctorate in the US | 2% |
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What You'll Learn
The US has a high number of international PhD students
The United States is a top destination for international PhD students. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 467,027 international graduate students in the US, accounting for over one-third of the country's international students. Engineering, math, and computer science are among the most common fields of study for these students.
Another factor contributing to the high number of international PhD students in the US is the country's structured approach to doctoral training. America was the second country to adopt the modern PhD degree, and its doctoral training structure influences PhD study in the UK and Europe. This structured approach may be attractive to international students seeking a well-defined path to obtaining their PhDs.
Furthermore, demand shocks in certain countries of origin have contributed to the influx of international PhD students in the US. For example, the normalization of relations with China in the early 1980s led to a large increase in Chinese students pursuing doctorates in the US. Additionally, countries where undergraduate education has expanded, such as China, have seen increased demand from foreign students for US doctorate programs, especially in science and engineering.
While the US benefits from a large number of international PhD students, there are concerns about the potential impact on US research. Experts warn that the combination of a decline in Americans pursuing PhDs and a decrease in international student recruitment could make US research vulnerable.
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The US relies on international PhD students
The US has long relied on international PhD students to compensate for the lack of domestic students pursuing PhDs. This trend is observed in other high-income countries as well, where competitive employment options in the labour market make local students less inclined to pursue a PhD.
In the US, however, this situation is more vulnerable due to the country's political turn inward since the election of Donald Trump, creating an unwelcoming environment for international students. This inward shift in politics, coupled with tightening visa and immigration rules, could lead to a decline in the population of international PhD students in the US.
The US has one of the highest shares of its population educated to the doctoral level, with about 2% of 25- to 64-year-olds holding a doctorate. However, when it comes to the number of domestic PhD graduates, the US falls behind many other developed nations. When scaled to population size, the US has one of the lowest numbers of domestic PhD graduates among OECD member nations.
The reliance on international PhD students in the US is particularly notable in science and engineering programs. The demand for US doctorate programs in these fields has grown in countries where undergraduate education has expanded, such as China, which awarded 60% of its undergraduate degrees in science and engineering in 2004. While there is no direct evidence of a 'crowd-out' effect, the influx of foreign students in these fields has changed the return on investment for US residents, potentially explaining the stagnant or declining domestic demand in these programs.
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International PhD students in the US often study engineering
The United States is home to some of the best graduate engineering schools in the world, so it is no surprise that international PhD students often choose to study engineering there. The US has one of the highest shares of its population educated to doctoral level – about 2% of 25- to 64-year-olds have a doctorate. However, the country has a relatively low number of domestic PhD graduates, leaving it reliant on international recruitment.
PhD programs in engineering are designed to produce expert researchers in the field. International students pursuing a PhD in engineering are expected to perform creative research that advances the industry. While most PhD programs require a master's degree for enrollment, some will accept students straight from undergraduate studies. International students typically must have good GPAs, high test scores, and research experience to be admitted.
Many international students who receive a PhD in engineering from US institutions go on to work in research roles at labs, universities, or specialized centers. Others become engineering professors, teaching students while also conducting and publishing new research each year. Some engineering graduates also become entrepreneurs, opening their own businesses focused on technology and engineering.
International PhD students in the US face challenges related to visas and immigration rules, which can impact their ability to stay and work in the country after graduation. However, with proper planning and knowledge of the immigration system, they can leverage the benefits of their student status to transition into careers that strengthen local economies.
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The US has a low number of domestic PhD graduates
The US has a relatively low number of domestic PhD graduates. In 2017, about 71,000 people gained a PhD in the US, which is more than double the number in any other developed country. However, when scaled to population size, the US falls behind many other OECD countries in terms of the number of doctoral graduates. This is due to a combination of factors, including a decrease in the number of Americans pursuing PhDs and an increase in the number of international PhD students.
One factor contributing to the low number of domestic PhD graduates in the US is the availability of other competitive employment options in the labour market. US citizens may be opting for these alternative career paths instead of pursuing a PhD. Additionally, the country's political climate since the election of Donald Trump may have made the US less attractive to international students, further exacerbating the issue.
The US has become increasingly reliant on international PhD students, particularly in the fields of science and engineering. This reliance on foreign talent could leave US research vulnerable, as an "unwelcoming environment" towards international students may lead to a decline in this population. The US risks falling behind other countries in terms of PhD numbers and the expertise that comes with it.
To address this issue, the US may need to re-evaluate its visa and immigration rules and take steps to foster a more welcoming atmosphere for international students. By encouraging more Americans to pursue PhDs and maintaining its appeal to international students, the US can work towards increasing its number of domestic PhD graduates.
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The US has an unwelcoming environment for international students
The US has long been a popular destination for international students, with its universities hosting huge numbers of students from across the world. However, in recent years, the country has seen a decline in international student enrolment, signalling a growing perception of the US as an unwelcoming environment for foreign students.
One significant factor contributing to this perception is the country's political climate. Since the election of Donald Trump, the US's political turn inward has dampened the appeal of overseas students. The Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement and tightening of visa rules have caused deep anxieties among prospective international students, particularly those from India, the country that sends the most international students to the US. The administration's threat to block Harvard from enrolling international students, as well as its warning that students who drop out or miss classes risk having their visas revoked, have sent a message of hostility towards foreign students.
The increasing reliance of US universities on international students for financial reasons further exacerbates the problem. As international students pay significantly higher tuition fees than US citizens, a decline in their enrolment could have serious financial consequences for universities. This has created a perception of international students as a source of revenue rather than as valued members of the academic community.
Additionally, international students face various challenges when studying in the US, including language barriers, academic and cultural differences, discrimination, and social isolation. The emphasis on classroom discussions and debates in US education can disadvantage international students who are not fully comfortable with spontaneous English conversation. Cultural differences in the student-teacher relationship, such as the expectation to approach professors or teaching assistants informally, can also create a sense of discomfort for international students.
The combination of political, financial, and academic factors has contributed to the perception of the US as an unwelcoming environment for international students. To counteract this perception, the US must address these issues and actively work towards creating an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for students from all over the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The US has one of the highest shares of its population educated to the doctoral level. However, when it comes to the number of domestic PhD graduates, the US has a relatively low number. In 2017, about 71,000 people gained a PhD in the US, but when scaled to population size, the US falls behind other OECD countries. The US relies on international PhD students, who then often stay in the country after graduating.
International PhD students in the US tend to study science and engineering. Demand for US doctorate programs in these fields has grown in countries where undergraduate education has expanded, such as China.
There are concerns that the US is becoming less friendly to foreigners and tightening its visa and immigration rules, which could lead to a decline in the population of international PhD students. There is also a worry that the US is too reliant on international PhD students, which could harm US research if the number of international students decreases.
In the 2022/23 academic year, the majority of international students in the US were from China and India, totaling 289,526 and 268,923 students, respectively.
