Lana Oconnell
International students in the United States pay some of the highest fees, with an average of $24,914 for tuition alone. In the 2023-24 school year, there were 1.1 million international students enrolled in US colleges and universities, an all-time high. Of these, 77% hailed from Asia, with China and India being the top two countries of origin. India and China together made up over half of all international students in the US. The number of international students pursuing Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the US reached a record high of 242,782 students, an increase of 22% from the previous year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international students in the US | 1,100,000+ |
| Number of international students from Asia | 77% (866,250) |
| Top 5 countries of origin in Asia | China, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan |
| Number of international students from China | 317,299-362,368 |
| Number of international students from India | 167,582-206,698 |
| Number of international students from South Korea | 39,491 |
| Number of international students from Vietnam | 21,631 |
| Number of international students from Taiwan | 19,673 |
| Number of international students enrolled in undergraduate programs | 342,875 |
| Number of international students enrolled in graduate programs | 502,291 |
| Number of international students enrolled in non-degree programs | 38,742 |
| Number of international students participating in OPT | 242,782 |
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What You'll Learn
- In 2023/24, there were over 1.1 million international students in the US
- China and India are the top two countries of origin
- % of international students in the US are from Asia
- Foreign students pay an average of $24,914 in fees
- The number of international undergraduates in the US remained stable in 2023/24, increasing by 6% in 2024/25
In 2023/24, there were over 1.1 million international students in the US
In the 2023/24 academic year, there were over 1.1 million international students in the United States, a 7% increase from the previous year. This record number of international students accounted for 6% of the total US higher education population.
Among these students, about three-quarters were from Asia, with more than half coming from India and China. India sent 331,602 students to the US in 2023/24, a 23% increase from the previous year, while China sent 277,398 students, a 4% decline. These two countries alone made up over half of all international students in the US.
International graduate students and students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) reached record highs in 2023/24. There were 502,291 international graduate students, an 8% increase, and 242,782 students on OPT, a 22% increase from the previous year. The majority of international students (56%) pursued STEM fields, with mathematics and computer science as the leading field of study.
California, New York, and Texas were the top three states hosting international students. Among the top 10 states, three Midwestern states saw the greatest growth: Missouri (+35%), Michigan (+14%), and Illinois (+13%).
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China and India are the top two countries of origin
In the 2023-24 school year, there were 1.1 million international students enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States, an increase of 7% from the previous academic year. This number constituted 77% of international students, with Asia being the largest source region. China and India were the top two countries of origin, with 362,368 and 206,698 students respectively in 2025. In 2024, China and India accounted for over half of all international students in the United States.
China was the leading place of origin for international students in the United States in the 2020/21 academic year, with 317,299 students. Indian students, on the other hand, made up the second-largest contingent, with 167,582 students. Together, these two countries accounted for more students in the United States than the total number of students from every other region of the world (excluding Asia). Chinese students made up nearly half of the total number of students from Asia, while Indian students accounted for a quarter of Asian students.
In the 2023/2024 academic year, India became the leading place of origin, with 331,602 students, reflecting a 23% increase from the previous year. China was the second-largest sender of international students, with 277,398 students, despite a 4% decline. India and China continued to make up over half of all international students in the United States.
International student enrollment in the United States has been steadily increasing, with an 8% rise in graduate students in 2023/24 and a 6% increase in undergraduates in 2024/25. The number of international students pursuing Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States has also reached a record high, with 242,782 students in 2023/24, a 22% increase from the previous year. The leading places of origin for international students in the United States continue to be China and India.
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77% of international students in the US are from Asia
International students are a significant presence in the United States, with an all-time high of more than 1.1 million international students enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions during the 2023/2024 academic year. This figure represents a 7% increase from the previous academic year. Of these students, 77% are from Asia, according to a report by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The report, titled "SEVIS by the Numbers", provides valuable insights into the international student population in the United States. It reveals that China and India are the top two countries sending students to the U.S., with 362,368 and 206,698 students, respectively, in the 2020/21 academic year. South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan are also among the top Asian countries contributing to the international student body in the U.S.
The presence of international students, particularly those from Asia, has had a notable impact on American universities. This influx of students has led to a remarkable internationalization of American higher education over the past two generations. International students bring diversity to U.S. campuses, creating ties between the United States and their home countries, fostering friendships, and promoting cultural understanding.
However, the increase in international students has also sparked debates about the potential impact on social mobility and national unity within the United States. Some argue that elite American universities have not significantly increased their overall enrollments, making admissions more competitive for domestic applicants. Additionally, the international student population's concentration in certain regions, such as the Northeast and the South, has resulted in varying growth rates across the country.
In conclusion, the fact that 77% of international students in the U.S. are from Asia highlights the significant contribution of Asian students to American higher education. This trend has implications for the diversity and internationalization of U.S. campuses, as well as potential consequences for admissions policies and social dynamics within the United States.
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Foreign students pay an average of $24,914 in fees
During the 2023/2024 academic year, there were 1,126,690 international students from more than 210 places of origin studying at US higher education institutions, a 7% increase from the previous academic year. This number includes international students from Asian countries. Foreign students in the United States pay some of the highest fees in the country, with an average of $24,914. This figure represents the tuition fees that foreign students are expected to pay.
The cost of attendance for international students in the US includes not only tuition fees but also living expenses such as accommodation and food, which can vary depending on the location and type of accommodation. The average cost of accommodation and food for a student in the US is $19,820 per year. However, this cost can be much higher in big cities or with luxury accommodations. For example, the most expensive accommodation and food costs are at New York University, with an annual cost of $24,652. On the other hand, Boston College offers the cheapest accommodation and food costs at $10,730 per year.
The high fees paid by foreign students have been a topic of debate in the US. The Trump administration's attempts to restrict foreign student enrollment, particularly at Harvard University, have brought attention to the internationalization of American higher education. Some argue that the enrollment of foreign students reduces slots for homegrown applicants and reinforces existing diversity issues in universities. Additionally, the assumption that foreign students come from wealthy backgrounds and can afford higher tuition payments has been challenged.
Despite the controversies, international students bring benefits to US universities. They create ties between the US and their home countries, develop cross-cultural friendships, and contribute to the diversity of the student body. Furthermore, international students often pursue STEM fields, with math and computer science being the leading field of study for international students in 2023/2024. This contributes to the advancement of these critical areas of study in the US.
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The number of international undergraduates in the US remained stable in 2023/24, increasing by 6% in 2024/25
In the 2023-24 school year, there were 1.1 million international students enrolled in US colleges and universities. This number remained stable in 2023/24, with 342,875 international undergraduates, a 1% decrease from 2022/23. However, in the 2024/25 academic year, there was a 6% increase in international undergraduate enrollment.
International students have continued to pursue a variety of majors in the United States, with the majority opting for STEM fields. Math and computer science have been the leading choices, with one in four students opting for these subjects. Other popular fields include business and management, physical and life sciences, social sciences, and fine and applied arts.
Asia remains the largest source of international students in the United States, with 70%-77% of international students hailing from the continent. China and India have consistently been the top two countries sending students to the US, with South Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan also featuring in the top five Asian countries of origin. In the 2020/21 academic year, there was a combined total of 645,622 students from across East Asia, South and Central Asia, and Southeast Asia studying in the United States. While this number represented a 15% decrease from the previous year, it still accounted for over 70% of all international students in the US.
The presence of international students in the United States has brought about a greater diversity of perspectives and cultures on American campuses. Additionally, international students create ties between the United States and their home countries, fostering better international relations and cultural understanding.
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Frequently asked questions
Over 1.1 million international students enrolled in US colleges in the 2023-24 academic year, with more than half coming from Asia.
India and China were the two largest sources of international students in the US during the 2023-24 academic year, with 331,000 and 277,000 students respectively.
No, the number of Asian students in US colleges has been decreasing due to travel bans and visa restrictions. For example, South Korea sent 43,149 students in 2023/24, down from 73,351 in 2010/11.
The decline in Asian students in the US is due to various factors, including the Trump administration's visa restrictions on Chinese students, the improvement of educational institutions in Asia, and the portrayal of the US as unsafe for Asians.
