International Students In Us Universities: Government Data Explained

International students are a vital part of the US higher education system, contributing billions to the economy and enriching the student experience for domestic students. The number of international students in the US has been 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 steep drop in international student numbers, but since then, enrollment has been on the rebound, with the US welcoming over 1.5 million international students in 2023.

International student enrollment statistics

Historical Context

International education in the US dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with students from China and Japan among the earliest arrivals. Over time, the US solidified its position as a global leader in higher education, attracting students worldwide due to its well-funded institutions, diverse academic programs, and the promise of gaining "American experience" for personal and professional advancement.

Recent Trends

In recent years, international student enrollment has fluctuated due to various factors. From 2003 to 2019, the number of international students in the US generally increased, reaching a peak of 1,095,299 in 2018. However, there were small dips in 2004, 2005, and 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted international student enrollment, with a 72% drop in new international students in 2020 compared to 2019.

Post-Pandemic Recovery

The 2022-2023 academic year marked a strong recovery, with international enrollment reaching 1,057,188, representing a 12% increase from the previous year. This rebound was driven by a 14% surge in first-time international students and a 21% increase in graduate programs. The total number of international students, including those enrolled in academic programs and those in Optional Practical Training (OPT), was nearly 1,057,190.

Leading Countries of Origin

China and India consistently rank as the top two countries of origin for international students in the US. In 2023-2024, India surpassed China as the leading sender of international students, with 331,602 students, reflecting a 23% increase. China sent 277,398 students, a 4% decline. Together, these two countries accounted for over half of all international students in the US.

Fields of Study

International students in the US are predominantly attracted to STEM fields. Math and computer science continue to be the leading field of study, with around one in four students choosing this major. Engineering is also popular, with nearly one in five students pursuing this field. Other common fields include business and management, physical and life sciences, social sciences, and fine and applied arts.

Economic Impact

International students make significant contributions to the US economy, primarily through tuition payments and living expenses. In the 2022-2023 academic year, they contributed over $40 billion and supported over 368,000 jobs. Their financial contributions are particularly beneficial to the economies of states like California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, and Florida, which host large numbers of international students.

Future Prospects

The US remains a top destination for international students seeking high-quality education and global competitiveness. With its vast array of academic institutions and fields of study, the US is well-positioned to accommodate the growing demand for international education.

The economic impact of international students

International students have a significant positive economic impact on the United States. In the 2022-2023 academic year, over a million international students contributed an estimated $40 billion to the US economy, a 19% increase from the previous year. This money comes from tuition fees and their spending on accommodation, transportation, food, and consumer goods. International students also supported 368,333 jobs in the US during the same period, a 9.8% increase from the previous year.

International students also contribute to the diversity of US campuses, providing international perspectives in classrooms and enhancing the intellectual and cultural environment for American students. They also contribute to America's scientific and technical research and often lead to longer-term business relationships and economic benefits.

The growth in the number of international students in the US has been driven by a variety of factors, including increased outreach by US colleges and universities, limited capacity in other countries, increased student visa issuances, the end of COVID-19 travel restrictions, and friendlier legal immigration policies.

International student enrollment by field of study

International student enrollment in US colleges and universities has been rising for decades, and in the 2022-2023 academic year, there were around 858,400 international students enrolled in higher education in the US. This number does not include the roughly 200,000 international students who were gaining work experience related to their degree after graduating, known as "optional practical training" or OPT.

During the 2022-2023 academic year, the five most common fields of study for international students in the US were:

Math and computer science (23-24%)

Math and computer science was the most popular field of study for international students in the US in 2022-2023, with 23% of international students enrolled in this field. This field includes a range of subjects such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, and information technology.

Business and management (15%)

Business and management was the second most popular field of study for international students, with 15% of students choosing this field. This field covers a range of business-related subjects, including marketing, finance, and human resource management.

Other fields (8%)

Around 8% of international students chose fields of study such as multi/interdisciplinary studies, liberal arts, and general studies. These fields offer a broad education and allow students to explore a variety of subjects before specialising.

Social sciences (8%)

Social sciences, including subjects such as psychology, sociology, and political science, were the field of study for 8% of international students. This field focuses on understanding human behaviour and social relationships.

Physical and life sciences (6%)

Around 6% of international students chose to study physical and life sciences, which include subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science.

Other popular fields of study for international students in the US include fine and applied arts, communications and journalism, and legal studies and law enforcement.

International student enrollment by degree type

International student enrollment in the US has been rising for decades, with the country hosting almost twice as many visiting college students as the next-leading destination. In the 2022-2023 academic year, there were around 858,400 international students enrolled in US higher education institutions. This number does not include the roughly 200,000 international students who were in the US gaining work experience related to their degree after graduating.

In the 2022-2023 academic year, there were about 120,000 more international students enrolled in graduate programs than undergraduate programs. This is a recent development, as for the past ten years, there had been a roughly equal number of undergraduate and graduate international students, with the share of graduate international students only lagging behind by a few percentage points.

The most common fields of study for international students in the US during the 2022-2023 academic year were math and computer science (23%), business and management (15%), "other fields" including multi/interdisciplinary studies, liberal arts, and general studies (8%), and social sciences (8%).

The impact of COVID-19 on international student enrollment

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on international students studying in the US. Countrywide travel bans and confusing, rapidly shifting ICE rules made for a fraught spring semester for this group of students.

The pandemic caused the steepest decline in international student enrollment ever, with a 15% drop in overall international student enrollment from the previous year. This was the largest dip ever recorded, with the second-largest decline being just 3.2% in 1971. The number of enrolled international students (excluding those on OPT) dropped by nearly 17%, and new student enrollment among international students fell by a whopping 46%.

However, there were signs of a rebound just a year later, in Fall 2021, with a 4% increase in total international students in the US, an 8% increase in enrolled international students, and a 43% increase in international student applications.

The rebound gained strength in 2023, with international student enrollment in the US continuing to rise. Over 1.5 million students enrolled, a 10.4% increase from 2022. This was the largest number of international students since 2019.

International students are critical to the financial well-being of US higher education institutions. They often pay full tuition, providing a key revenue stream that supports operating expenses and financial aid programs for domestic students. International students also contribute to the vibrancy of local economies and support numerous jobs.

To ensure the continued enrollment of international students, US colleges and universities have ramped up their efforts to recruit them, partly due to a drop in domestic enrollment. Additionally, the US government has put more resources toward making visa processing more efficient, issuing 8.5% more student visas in 2023 than in 2022.

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