Lori Meadows
International students have long been attracted to the United States for a variety of reasons, including its academic reputation, research opportunities, and social and professional advancement. The number of international students in the US has been steadily increasing over the years, with the country hosting over 1 million international students in 2022, and a record-high of over 1.1 million in 2023/24. International students make up a significant portion of the US student population, contributing billions to the economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. In 2023, international students came from over 238 countries, with the majority hailing from Asia, particularly India and China.
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What You'll Learn
- International students contributed $40 billion to the US economy in 2022-23
- The number of international students in the US dropped during the Covid-19 pandemic
- In 2023, 160,627 students participated in Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- California, New York, and Texas welcomed the most international students
- The US is one of the most popular study-abroad countries for international students
International students contributed $40 billion to the US economy in 2022-23
International students have long been a feature of the US academic landscape, with the earliest international students arriving in the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The US remains one of the most popular study-abroad countries for international students. In the 2022-23 academic year, there were 1,057,188 international students studying in the US, an increase from the previous year. This number includes students from over 238 countries, representing every continent except Antarctica. The top three countries of origin for international students are China, India, and South Korea.
International students have made significant economic contributions to the US. In the 2022-23 academic year, international students contributed approximately $40 billion to the US economy and supported around 368,000 jobs. This economic impact is felt across various sectors, including higher education, accommodation, dining, transportation, and other service industries. The spending of international students has been particularly important for sustaining employment in university towns and cities, especially during economic downturns.
The economic impact of international students extends beyond their direct financial contributions. International students typically pay higher tuition fees than domestic students at public universities due to their non-resident status. These additional tuition fees are a valuable source of revenue for universities, often funding scholarships for domestic students and supporting institutional development. The presence of international students also stimulates job creation and supports local economies.
International students bring a range of benefits beyond their economic contributions. They enrich the academic environment by exposing domestic students to diverse cultural perspectives and experiences, fostering personal, socioeconomic, and political growth. Additionally, international students contribute to the advancement of research and innovation, particularly in STEM fields, which are the most popular areas of study for international students.
The presence of international students in the US reflects the country's global appeal as a top destination for higher education. The US offers sought-after opportunities for research, professional advancement, and social development. Despite visa restrictions and changing immigration policies, the number of international students in the US has been steadily increasing, indicating the resilience and attractiveness of US higher education.
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The number of international students in the US dropped during the Covid-19 pandemic
International students are defined as "non-immigrant visitors" who come to the United States temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world. The United States is one of the most popular study-abroad countries for international students. From 2003 to 2019, the number of international students increased, although there were small decreases in 2004, 2005, and 2019. The number peaked in 2018 at 1,095,299 people.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant dip in international enrollment at U.S. higher education institutions. The number of international students in the 2020–21 academic year dropped by 13.2% compared to the previous year. This decrease was likely due to the pandemic's impact on travel restrictions and the shift to online learning. The pandemic also affected the ability of U.S. students to study abroad, with a 49% increase in the number of U.S. students studying abroad in the 2022/23 academic year, reflecting the recovery from the pandemic.
Despite the overall decrease during the pandemic, the number of international students in the U.S. has been recovering. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 1,057,188 international students in the United States, an increase from the previous year. This number is still below the pre-pandemic level, but it represents an 11.5% increase over the 2021/22 academic year and a 15.7% increase over the 2020/21 academic year. The number of international students now makes up 5.6% of the total U.S. student population, up from 4.6% the year before.
In terms of countries of origin, China remained the largest source country for international students in the 2022/23 academic year, with 289,526 students enrolled. India was the second most common place of origin, with 331,602 students in the 2023/2024 academic year, a 23% increase from the previous year. Together, India and China made up over half of all international students in the United States.
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In 2023, 160,627 students participated in Optional Practical Training (OPT)
International students are defined as "non-immigrant" visitors who come to the United States temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world. The United States has always been one of the most popular study-abroad countries for international students. The number of international students in the US has been increasing since 2003, with a small decrease in 2019. In 2018, the number of international students peaked at 1,095,299.
International students have made significant contributions to the US economy and supported job creation. In 2022-2023, they supported over 368,000 jobs in the US and contributed around $40 billion to the economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, international enrollment in US higher education institutions declined, but the numbers rebounded in the 2022/2023 academic year, with 1.06 million international students in the country.
The majority of students participating in STEM OPT came from India (39%) and China (23.7%). India and China were the top two countries of origin for international students in the US, with India sending 331,602 students in 2023/2024, a 23% increase from the previous year. China experienced a 4% decline, with 277,398 students. Together, these two countries accounted for over half of all international students in the US.
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California, New York, and Texas welcomed the most international students
International students have long been a vital source of revenue for American colleges, especially since the 2008 recession. They pay higher tuition fees than domestic students, and their spending supports job creation and local economies. However, the number of international students coming to the US has been declining in recent years, due in part to more restrictive immigration policies and increased scrutiny of visa applications under the Trump administration.
Despite this overall decline, California, New York, and Texas continue to attract the highest numbers of international students. During the 2023-24 school year, about 12.5% of all international students in the US were studying in California, while 12.1% were in New York, and 8% were in Texas. These three states, along with Massachusetts and Florida, are also among those that benefit the most economically from international student spending.
California has long been a top destination for international students, with its prestigious universities and vibrant tech and entertainment industries. The state's large number of international students has contributed significantly to the state's economy and supported job creation in various sectors.
New York, known for its diverse and cosmopolitan culture, is another highly attractive destination for international students. The state is home to several renowned universities, including Ivy League institutions, and its large international student population has brought numerous economic benefits, particularly to college towns.
Texas, the third state with the highest number of international students, offers a mix of academic opportunities and a thriving job market. The state's policies, such as providing DACA recipients with access to in-state tuition and driver's licenses, have made higher education more accessible to undocumented students, contributing to the state's diverse and talented student population.
While California, New York, and Texas lead in terms of international student numbers, other states like Massachusetts and Illinois also attract significant shares, contributing to the overall economic and cultural benefits that international students bring to the US.
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The US is one of the most popular study-abroad countries for international students
International students are defined as "non-immigrant" visitors who come to the US temporarily to take classes or take online courses virtually from anywhere in the world. The US has always been one of the top destinations for international students due to its excellent educational opportunities, research facilities, and global reputation. In recent years, the US has seen an increasing number of international students from Asia, particularly from India and China, which together make up over half of all international students in the US. Other countries that send a significant number of students to the US include South Korea, Canada, Vietnam, Taiwan, Nigeria, and Japan.
International students make up a sizeable portion of the US student population, with 1,060,000 international students in the 2022/23 academic year, making up 5.6% of the total US student population. They contribute significantly to the US economy, with their spending supporting job creation and stimulating local economies. In the 2023-2024 school year, international students contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy and supported more than 378,000 jobs. International students also bring cultural and intellectual diversity to US campuses, enriching the educational experience for all students.
The majority of international students in the US pursue degrees in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math), with computer science being the most popular major. Other popular fields of study include business and management, second languages, and social sciences. International students often face additional challenges, such as visa requirements and higher tuition fees, but the benefits of studying in the US, including access to world-class research institutions and global networking opportunities, make it a top choice for students worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The number varies each year, but in the 2022-2023 academic year, there were 1,057,188 international students studying in the US.
In 2023-2024, there were 331,602 Indian students studying in the US, a 23% increase from the previous academic year.
International students contributed around $40 billion to the US economy in 2022-2023. In 2023-2024, this figure rose to $43.8 billion.
California, New York, and Texas welcome the most international students.
New York University has remained one of the top hosts of international students for many years. In 2023, seven schools enrolled more than 15,000 international students: Northeastern University, New York University, Columbia University, Arizona State University, University of Illinois, University of Southern California, and Boston University.
