Ibrahim Gardner
International students contribute significantly to the US economy and labor market. During the 2023-2024 academic year, 1.1 million international students in the US supported over 378,000 jobs and contributed $43.8 billion to the economy. International students also fill critical job vacancies in the US, particularly in STEM, health, and business management fields. While the US attracts hundreds of thousands of international students annually, many face challenges finding employment due to visa restrictions and immigration policies. The retention rate of international graduates varies across regions, with the West Coast retaining the most graduates.
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What You'll Learn
International students in the USA: Job prospects and retention rates
International students contribute significantly to the US economy and job market. During the 2023-2024 academic year, 1.1 million international students in US colleges and universities contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy and supported over 378,000 jobs. This is a notable increase from the 2019-2020 academic year, when international students contributed $371.3 million and supported 2,691 jobs.
International students also create jobs in the US. For every three international students, one US job is supported. Certain states experience greater economic benefits from international students, with California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, and Illinois seeing the largest economic impact.
International students in the US face challenges in finding employment due to immigration issues and visa restrictions. The availability of visas for skilled workers is limited, impacting the ability of international students to remain in the country after graduation. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges, resulting in a decline in foreign enrollment in US graduate and master's programs.
However, there are positive indicators for job prospects and retention rates for international students in the US. The Biden administration has pledged to create a more welcoming immigration system, including increasing visas for permanent, work-based immigration. Additionally, the demand for talent in certain sectors, such as STEM, health, and business management, creates opportunities for international students with relevant qualifications. According to FWD.us, an estimated 100,000 international student graduates each year would like to stay and work long-term in the US if a straightforward path to permanent residency were available.
Retention rates vary based on the level of education attained. The retention rate is lowest for bachelor's degree recipients, with less than one out of five international bachelor's degree holders remaining in the US. In contrast, half of master's degree recipients and three-quarters of PhD recipients stay in the country after graduation. The West Coast, particularly regions with strong technology sectors, has higher retention rates for international graduates, especially PhD holders.
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OPT program: STEM jobs and immigration policies
International students in the US have contributed significantly to the economy and job market. According to NAFSA, 1.1 million international students at US colleges and universities contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023-2024 academic year and supported more than 378,000 jobs. For every three international students, one US job is created or supported.
The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is a federal program that allows international students at US universities to work in the United States for a limited period after graduation. About 72% of foreign graduates use OPT, with the permit generally lasting one year but extending to three years for graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
The OPT program has been the subject of scrutiny and debate in recent years. Some US lawmakers and officials have called for its suspension or termination, arguing that it takes away university and job slots from native students and graduates. During the Trump administration, there were temporary restrictions on the OPT program due to high unemployment rates among 18- to 24-year-old Americans. Critics of the OPT program characterise it as a foreign worker program that subsidises foreign nationals at the expense of American college graduates.
However, economists have studied the effects of eliminating OPT, concluding that it would cause permanent losses to US innovation, productivity, economic growth, and job opportunities for both less-educated and highly-educated native workers. The increase in foreign STEM students has led to US universities expanding their STEM training capacity and quality, creating more opportunities for collaboration between natives and immigrants.
In terms of immigration policies, the Biden administration has vowed to build a "just and humane" immigration system, with plans to increase the number of visas for permanent, work-based immigration depending on labour market demands. While there have been concerns about visa delays and denials for international students, the post-Trump era appears to offer more favourable policies for international students seeking job opportunities in the US.
For STEM jobs specifically, certain F-1 students with STEM degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. To be eligible, students must have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited and Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified institution. The employing organisation must be enrolled in and using E-Verify, and the student must have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT employment authorisation based on their STEM degree.
Additionally, under the STEM OPT extension, employers must complete Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students, attesting that they have sufficient resources and trained personnel to provide appropriate training, and that the student will not replace a US worker. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will review each case to determine the bona fide nature of the employment and ensure compliance with the training plan.
In summary, the OPT program, including the STEM OPT extension, provides international students with valuable opportunities to gain work experience in the US after graduation. While there have been debates and policy pressures surrounding the program, the consensus among economists is that it contributes positively to US innovation, productivity, and economic growth. Immigration policies under the Biden administration also seem to signal a more welcoming environment for international students seeking job opportunities in the US.
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International student spending and job creation
International students make significant contributions to the US economy, both through spending and job creation. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the more than 1.1 million international students in the US contributed approximately $44 billion to the economy and supported over 378,000 jobs. This economic activity is the highest ever recorded by NAFSA: Association of International Educators, surpassing the previous peak of $41 billion in the 2018-2019 academic year.
The spending and job creation associated with international students are not limited to tuition fees. As Nicholas Barr, a professor at the London School of Economics, points out, "Students don't just spend money paying tuition fees. They pay rent, they go to restaurants, they travel." This is reflected in the wide-ranging economic impacts seen across various states. For instance, the nearly 90,000 international students in Texas during the last academic year contributed $2.5 billion to the local economy.
International students' spending patterns also extend beyond their day-to-day expenses. For example, Shahid Khan, an international student from Pakistan who attended the University of Illinois, went on to establish successful businesses in the same area, creating numerous local jobs and opportunities. Additionally, international students contribute to the US economy by helping drive cutting-edge research and development, fill job openings in critical STEM fields, and advance national security.
The economic impact of international students is further evident in the federal Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the increase in international student contributions was largely driven by recent graduates staying in the country to work under the OPT program. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the highest number of foreign graduates under OPT, with 218,000, followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim with 103,600 and Boston-Cambridge-Newton with 73,000.
While there have been concerns about the impact of the OPT program on American job seekers, the Biden administration has pledged to create a more welcoming immigration system. This includes increasing visas for permanent, work-based immigration, which could further enhance the economic contributions of international students and graduates in the US.
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Post-graduation: Job opportunities and visa processes
International students can find it challenging to secure jobs in the USA after graduation. There are complexities and misunderstandings concerning visas, and employers may be hesitant to hire non-US citizens due to their lack of familiarity with visa requirements. However, international students do contribute significantly to the US economy and job market. According to NAFSA, 1.1 million international students in US colleges and universities contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023-2024 academic year and supported more than 378,000 jobs. This means that for every three international students, one US job is created or supported.
If you are an international student looking for a job in the USA, there are several resources to help you in your search. Your university's career services department can provide valuable advice and guidance, and you should also take advantage of career fairs, recruitment events, and networking opportunities. It is also worth visiting the International Student Job Center and International Student Resume Writing Center, which offer dedicated support for international students seeking employment in the USA.
In terms of visa processes, there are a few options for international students who wish to stay and work in the USA after graduation. The F-1 visa, which is the most common type of student visa, grants students only 60 days in the USA after graduation. However, F-1 visa holders can participate in optional practical training (OPT) opportunities, and this program is quite popular, especially in large metro areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Boston. To be eligible, the job must relate to what you studied in college, and you must submit work authorization paperwork to the USCIS website.
Another option is to convert your F-1 visa status to an H-1B visa with the help of a sponsoring US company. The H-1B visa allows graduate students to stay in the USA and work for up to six years, but you must show that your field of study makes you uniquely qualified for the job. Additionally, if you change jobs during those six years, you will need to apply for a new H-1B visa.
It is important to plan ahead and be aware of the rules, regulations, deadlines, and costs associated with different visa options. As an international student, you may have an edge in pursuing citizenship, but the process of finding a job and sponsoring your visa can be complex and time-consuming.
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US economy: Job vacancies and international student graduates
The United States is home to world-class universities that attract hundreds of thousands of international students each year. International students contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023-2024 academic year and supported more than 378,000 jobs. For every three international students, one US job is created or supported.
However, the retention rate of international graduates in the US is low. Less than one out of five international bachelor's degree recipients ultimately stays in the US, with higher retention rates for those finishing graduate degree programs. Half of master's degree recipients and three-quarters of PhD recipients stay in the country. This is partly due to the scarce visas available for skilled workers. The number of international students graduating from American universities but leaving to work in other countries is also growing due to the static number of H-1B visas and employment-based green cards available annually.
There have been calls for a clear, legal avenue for international students to become permanent residents, leading to US citizenship. This could increase international student enrollment, strengthening the pipeline of individuals to meet highly skilled labor demands in the US. Job vacancies in STEM, health, and business management fields have nearly tripled over the previous decade, and it is estimated that there will be 2.5 million job vacancies in these industries in 2030 if current trends continue. International students could help fill these critical job openings.
The OPT program, which allows international students to stay and work in the US temporarily, has faced scrutiny and attempts at restriction. However, researchers have found that about 23 percent of international students who earn master's degrees and 12 percent of those who earn bachelor's degrees find within-state jobs after graduation. International students contribute significantly to the US economy and labor market, and providing a pathway to permanent residency for those who wish to stay could have economic benefits for the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can get jobs in the USA.
International students in the USA tend to find work in STEM, health, and business management fields.
It is estimated that about 23% of international students who earn master's degrees and 12% of those who earn bachelor's degrees find jobs in the USA.
International students contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy during the 2023-2024 academic year and supported more than 378,000 jobs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced employment opportunities for international students in the USA due to travel restrictions and a decline in foreign enrollment.
