International Students: Us University Graduation Rates Revealed

International students have long been attracted to the United States for its high-quality education system. In the 2022-2023 academic year, there were 467,027 international graduate students in the US, contributing to a total of 1,057,188 international students. This is an increase from the previous year, which saw 948,519 international students in the US. The number of international students in the US has been steadily climbing for decades, with brief dips in the early '70s, mid-2000s, and 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

International students in the US by academic level

During the 2022/23 academic year, there were 347,602 international students enrolled at the undergraduate level in the United States. This number has been increasing over the years, with a total of 467,027 international graduate students in the same year, as well as 43,766 non-degree-seeking international students. The US is a popular choice for international students, with more than a million international students enrolled during the 2022-2023 academic year, which is an almost 12% increase from the previous year. This growth is attributed to the country's top universities and cutting-edge research opportunities, particularly in fields such as engineering and computer science.

International students are admitted to US universities on student visas, such as the F visa for most college and university students and the M visa for those attending vocational programs. These visas do not provide a direct path to permanent residency, creating challenges for graduates who wish to stay in the US after completing their studies. However, programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT) allow graduates to gain hands-on work experience in their fields of study, enabling them to stay in the country for up to three years.

The presence of international students has a significant impact on the US economy and job market. In the 2021-2022 school year, international students contributed a combined $33.8 billion to the economy and supported more than 335,000 jobs. Additionally, international students typically pay full tuition rates, providing valuable revenue for universities.

International students are drawn to various fields of study in the US. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the most popular fields included math and computer science, engineering, business and management, social sciences, and physical and life sciences. Approximately half of the international students in the US enrol in STEM programs, and despite comprising only 5% of the total student population, they earned nearly half of all Master's and Doctor's STEM degrees awarded in 2019.

International students in the US by country

International students have long been a primary source of talent in the United States, with over a million international students enrolled at US colleges and universities in the 2019-2020 school year. However, the number of international students has been declining in recent years, with fewer than a million enrolling in the 2020-2021 school year, likely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in US immigration policy.

During the 2019-2020 school year, the top countries of origin for international students in the US were:

• China (372,532 students)
• India (193,124 students)
• South Korea (50,000 students, approximate)
• Saudi Arabia (30,000 students, approximate)
• Canada (26,000 students, approximate)

Together, China and India account for more than 50% of the total number of international students in the US. Other countries that feature in the top 10 include Japan, Taiwan, and countries in North America.

In terms of US states, California, New York, and Texas are the top three states hosting international students, with Massachusetts also featuring in the top 10 despite having a smaller population. These states are home to some of the top universities for international students, including New York University, Northeastern University, the University of Southern California, and Columbia University.

International students in the US by visa type

International students in the US are generally admitted on student visas. There are three primary types: F, J, and M. These are "nonimmigrant" visas, meaning they do not provide a direct path to permanent residency, which creates obstacles for graduates who wish to remain in the US after completing their degrees.

F Visa

The F visa is for the majority of college, university, high school, and elementary students. There are three types:

• F-1 visas for full-time students
• F-2 visas for dependents of F-1 visa holders (spouse and unmarried children under 21)
• F-3 visas for 'border commuters' – Mexican and Canadian students who reside in their country of origin while attending part- or full-time school in the US

F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year, but they may accept on-campus employment. After the first year, they may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT.

M Visa

The M visa is for those attending vocational programs. There are three types:

• M-1 visas for students engaging in vocational or non-academic studies
• M-2 visas for dependents of M-1 visa holders
• M-3 visas for 'border commuters' for vocational or non-academic studies

M-1 students are admitted for a fixed time period and cannot stay in the US for longer than one year, except in the case of medical extensions. They are not allowed to work on- or off-campus while studying and may not change their status to F-1.

J Visa

The J visa is for international exchange visitors participating in programs that promote cultural exchange. There are two types:

• J-1 visas for exchange students on a relevant exchange program
• J-2 visas for dependents of J-1 visa holders

J-1 visa holders will be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement if they are part of a government-funded exchange program, doing graduate medical education or training, or if their training is listed in the Exchange Visitor Skills list. This means they will need to return to their home country for at least two years after their exchange visitor program ends.

The impact of COVID-19 on international student enrollment in the US

International students are a vital part of the US higher education system, contributing to the economy, supporting jobs, and adding to the cultural diversity of campuses. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on international student enrollment in US universities, exacerbating a downward trend that began before the health crisis.

Impact on Enrollment

The pandemic caused a sharp drop in international student enrollment in US colleges and universities. A survey by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the US State Department found that international enrollment dropped by 15% at the start of the pandemic. A separate snapshot survey of Fall 2020 enrollment indicated an overall decline of 16% in international student numbers, with new enrollment falling by 43%.

Economic Impact

The decline in international student numbers has had economic repercussions for US higher education institutions and local economies. International students typically pay full tuition, and in the 2019-2020 academic year, they contributed $38.7 billion to the US economy and supported nearly 416,000 jobs. A decrease in international student enrollment can lead to financial strain for universities, potentially forcing them to downsize or close, resulting in significant job losses.

Impact on STEM Fields

International students are crucial to the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in the US. They make up a significant proportion of graduate students in these areas, with 50-82% of full-time graduate students in key technical fields coming from overseas. International students also contribute to academic research and scientific innovation, enhancing America's competitiveness in these fields.

Policy Changes and Travel Restrictions

The pandemic has also influenced policy changes and travel restrictions that have impacted international student mobility. The Trump administration's travel ban affecting several majority-Muslim countries, heightened visa scrutiny for Chinese students, and the temporary ban on international students with fully online classes all contributed to the decline in enrollment. These policies created uncertainty and disrupted the plans of many prospective and current international students.

Competition from Other Countries

The challenges posed by the pandemic have been further compounded by the efforts of other countries to attract international students. Countries like Canada have tripled their international student populations by offering streamlined pathways to permanent residency, capitalizing on the difficulties faced by students considering US universities.

Post-Pandemic Recovery

While enrollment numbers began to recover in 2022, reaching close to pre-pandemic levels, the long-term effects of the pandemic on international student enrollment in the US remain to be seen. To sustain international student enrollment, US higher education institutions and policymakers must address the concerns of international students, ensure flexible policies, and provide support during this period of uncertainty.

International student enrollment trends in the US

Historical Enrollment Trends

From 2006 to 2015, the US saw a steady increase in international student enrollment, with the number of new enrollments growing at an increasing rate. However, this trend began to reverse in 2016, with new enrollments falling for five consecutive years. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this decline, with new international student enrollments for the 2020-2021 school year plunging by more than 45% compared to the previous year.

Factors Impacting Enrollment

There are several factors contributing to the decline in international student enrollment in the US:

• Immigration Policies: Tightened immigration policies, visa restrictions, and challenges in obtaining work visas or permanent residency have made it more difficult for international students to study and work in the US. The Trump administration's restrictive immigration policies and rhetoric have been cited as a significant factor in discouraging prospective international students from choosing US universities.
• Safety Concerns: Increasing anti-immigrant sentiment, gun violence, and mass shootings in the US have raised safety concerns among international students and their parents, impacting their decision to study in the country.
• Cost of Education: The rising cost of higher education in the US, coupled with the increased value of the US dollar, has made studying in the US less financially feasible for many international students. Additionally, the decrease in foreign scholarship funding has further limited their ability to afford US universities.
• Competition from Other Countries: Countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK have been actively recruiting international students by offering streamlined pathways to permanent residency and more affordable tuition costs. For instance, Canada's international student population has tripled in the last decade due to its immigration policies that reward in-country education and work experience.

Impact on the US

The decline in international student enrollment has several implications for the US:

• Economic Impact: International students contribute significantly to the US economy. In the 2021-2022 school year, they contributed a combined $33.8 billion to the economy and supported more than 335,000 jobs. A decrease in international student enrollment can have a detrimental effect on the economy and local communities.
• STEM Workforce: International students are crucial to the STEM workforce in the US, with approximately half of them enrolled in STEM programs. Their presence helps the US remain competitive in emerging industries like artificial intelligence, 5G, biotechnology, and quantum computing.
• Diversity and Cultural Exchange: The loss of international students on US campuses not only impacts the economy but also reduces diversity in the classroom, leading to a less diverse exchange of ideas, experiences, and cultural perspectives.

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