Savanna Hoffman
International students have long been attracted to the United States' higher education system, which has been a powerful engine of innovation, scientific research, and development. In the 2022-2023 academic year, international students made up 5.6% of the total US student population, or about 1.1 million students. This percentage increased to 5.9% in the 2023-2024 school year, with an estimated 1,126,690 foreign-born students enrolled. The majority of these international students come from China and India, which are also the world's most populous countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in 2022-2023 | 1,060,000 |
| Percentage of international students in total U.S. student population in 2022-2023 | 5.6% |
| Number of international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in 2023-2024 | 1,126,690 |
| Percentage of international students in total U.S. student population in 2023-2024 | 5.9% |
| Number of international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in 2024-2025 | N/A |
| Percentage increase in international student enrollment in 2024-2025 over the previous year | 3% |
| Top countries of origin | China, India |
| Number of countries represented | 200 |
| Percentage of international students enrolled in graduate programs in 2022-2023 | 51% |
| Number of international students enrolled in graduate programs in 2022-2023 | 858,400 |
| Number of international students enrolled in Optional Practical Training (OPT) | 242,000-276,000 |
| Number of international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in 2020-2021 | 1,057,188-1,057,190 |
| Percentage of international students from Asia in 2020-2021 | 70.77% |
| Number of countries represented in 2022-2023 | 30 |
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What You'll Learn
International students in the US: 5.6-5.9% of total
International students have long been attracted to the US higher education system, which has been a powerful engine of innovation, driving scientific research and development. The US has maintained its position as the most popular destination for international students, even as enrolment rates have fluctuated in recent years.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, there were 1.06 million international students in the US, making up 5.6% of the total US student population. This figure represents an increase of 11.5% over the previous year. The number of international students in the US has been climbing for decades, with a notable dip during the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused a steep 15% decline in international student enrolment, the sharpest ever seen. However, the numbers have been recovering since then, with the latest data showing a rebound in international student enrolment.
During the 2023-2024 school year, an estimated 1,126,690 foreign-born students were enrolled at US colleges and universities, representing 5.9% of the total US student population. This includes more than 242,000 international student graduates participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is a valuable program that allows international graduates to gain hands-on work experience in their fields of study, and it is a major factor attracting international students to the US.
The leading places of origin for international students in the US are India and China, which are also the world's most populous countries. Together, these two countries make up over half of all international students in the US. Other countries that send significant numbers of students to the US include Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain. The US has seen strong growth in international student enrolment from a diverse range of countries, contributing to the cultural exchange and enrichment of US campuses.
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China and India: top source countries
International students make up 5.6% to 5.9% of the total US student population. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 1,060,000 international students in the US, according to the Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange. This number increased to 1,126,690 in the 2023/24 academic year, according to the same report.
China and India are the top two source countries for international students in the US. In the 2022/23 academic year, 289,526 students came from China, and 268,923 from India. Together, these two countries made up over half of all international students in the US.
In the 2023/24 academic year, India surpassed China as the leading source of international students in the US for the first time since 2009. India sent 331,602 students to the US, a 23% increase from the previous year. China sent 277,398 students, a 4% decrease. This was also reflected in the UK, where Indian students outnumbered Chinese students in 2022/23.
International students are attracted to the US by its high-quality education, particularly in STEM fields, which are the most popular majors for international students. More than 276,000 graduates are enrolled in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows them to gain work experience in the US after graduation. However, the US immigration system creates significant obstacles for international graduates who wish to stay in the country, as non-immigrant visas do not provide a direct path to permanent residency.
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OPT: a major draw for international students
International students make up around 5-6% of the total US student population, with more than 1 million foreign-born students enrolled at US colleges and universities in the 2022/23 academic year. This number increased to 1,126,690 in the 2023-2024 school year, with international students contributing a combined $43.8 billion to the economy and supporting more than 375,000 jobs.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a significant factor in attracting international students to the US. OPT is a type of work authorization available to eligible F-1 students, allowing them to gain practical work experience in their field of study. Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before or after completing their academic studies. This provides international students with valuable opportunities to enhance their resumes and gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
The OPT program is particularly popular among students from India and China, who together make up over half of all international students in the US. In 2023/2024, India experienced a 41% increase in students pursuing OPT, while China saw a 12% increase.
The ability to gain practical training in their field of study is a significant advantage for international students, as it provides them with real-world skills and experience that can enhance their career prospects. OPT also benefits the US economy and innovation by attracting talented individuals from around the world.
However, it is important to note that OPT does not provide a direct path to permanent residency. International students on OPT must still navigate the complex immigration system to remain in the US after their authorization ends. Nonetheless, OPT remains a major draw for international students considering studying in the US, providing them with valuable work experience and the opportunity to contribute to their field of study in a practical manner.
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International student enrolment: rebound from pandemic
International student enrollment in the United States saw a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has been rebounding since 2022. The Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange recorded 1.06 million international students in the country in the 2022/23 academic year, an increase of 11.5% over 2021/22 and 15.7% over 2020/21. International students made up 5.6% of the total US student population in 2022/23, contributing around $40 billion to the American economy.
The US has long been the most popular destination for international students, and its higher education system is a powerful engine of innovation, producing the world's best-educated experts. However, the pandemic disrupted this trend, causing a steep decline in undergraduate enrollment, especially in public colleges. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) reported that undergraduate enrollment dropped most significantly from 2019 to 2022, only rising again in 2023 to near pre-pandemic levels. Graduate enrollment, on the other hand, has generally increased since the start of the pandemic.
The US has seen a rebound in international student enrollment, with the Fall 2024 International Student Enrollment Snapshot reporting a 3% rise across institutions at the start of the 2024/25 academic year. This builds on sustained increases over the last three years. Undergraduate enrollments rose by 6%, while graduate enrollments decreased by 2%. The number of new international students enrolling in US colleges and universities for the first time has also matched pre-pandemic levels, with 298,705 new international students in 2023/24.
The leading source countries for international students are India and China, which together make up over half of all international students in the US. India experienced a significant increase in enrollments in 2023/24, overtaking China as the top-sending country for the first time since 2009. Other countries with notable increases include South Korea, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ghana, and Nepal. Many international students are attracted to the US by the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows graduates to gain hands-on work experience with US employers. More than 276,000 graduates are enrolled in this program, but it does not provide a direct path to permanent residency, creating challenges for those who wish to stay in the US after graduation.
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International students: a boon for the US economy
International students have long been a significant boon to the US economy, contributing billions of dollars annually and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. In the 2022-2023 academic year, over one million international students contributed an estimated $40 billion to the US economy, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. This economic impact is felt across various sectors, from education and housing to transportation, food, and consumer goods.
The US higher education system has long been a powerful draw for international students, offering prestigious institutions, innovative research opportunities, and a competitive advantage in the global talent market. The ability of US colleges and universities to attract the world's brightest minds has been a key strength, fostering cultural exchange, driving innovation, and strengthening the country's skilled workforce.
During the 2023-2024 school year, an estimated 1,126,690 foreign-born students were enrolled in US colleges and universities, representing 5.9% of the total student population. This included more than 242,000 international student graduates participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), a program that allows graduates to gain hands-on work experience in their fields of study. OPT is a major factor attracting international students and encouraging them to remain in the US after graduation.
The economic impact of international students is particularly notable in cities with many colleges and universities, such as Boston and Philadelphia. Boston, for example, benefits from the presence of over 60,000 international students, contributing approximately $2.7 billion to the local economy. Similarly, Philadelphia's higher education institutions attract a significant number of international students, boosting the region's economy.
International students' contributions to the US economy extend beyond their tuition and living expenses. They bring diverse perspectives, foster innovation, and contribute to the country's competitiveness in various sectors. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted, international education is vital not only to the economy but also to American diplomacy and national security.
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Frequently asked questions
International students make up about 5.6% to 5.9% of college students in the US.
During the 2023-2024 school year, an estimated 1,126,690 foreign-born students were enrolled in US colleges.
China and India are the top two countries of origin for international students in the US. Together, they make up over half of all international students in the country.
California, New York, and Texas host the most international students.
STEM fields are the most common, with one in four international students studying math and computer science, and nearly one in five studying engineering.
