According to a report from the Institute of International Education (IIE), U.S. higher education institutions welcomed a total of 1,126,690 international students during the 2023-2024 academic year. This figure represents a 7% increase from the previous year, continuing a trend of growth in international student enrollment in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Economic Impact of International Students
The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that these international students contributed approximately $50 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023, primarily through tuition and living expenses.
U.S. Remains Leading Destination
Despite increased competition from countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, the U.S. remains the leading destination for international students globally. Mirka Martel, Head of Research, Evaluation, and Learning at IIE, highlighted the U.S.’s prominent status during a recent virtual press briefing. Graduate students represented the largest share of international enrollments, increasing by 7.6% to reach a new high of 502,291, following prior substantial increases of 21% and 17%.
Shift in Leading Source Countries
India surpassed China for the first time since 2009 as the leading source of international students in the U.S., with 331,602 students, reflecting a notable year-over-year increase of 23%. The number of Indian students has nearly doubled since the beginning of the pandemic.
International Student Demographics
International students now account for 5.9% of the total U.S. higher education student body, indicating potential for continued growth as institutions enhance their recruitment strategies.
Trends in Undergraduate Enrollment
While undergraduate enrollment experienced a slight decline of 1.4%, totaling 342,875 students, this trend is indicative of ongoing pandemic-related challenges affecting first-time undergraduate enrollments. In addition, the number of Chinese students in the U.S. decreased by 4.2%, with 277,398 reported. Together, Indian and Chinese students make up 54% of the total international student population.
Growth from Other Regions
However, there were significant increases in enrollments from other regions, including South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. California, New York, and Texas emerged as the most popular states for international students, with 44 states reporting growth in their international student populations.
Record Enrollment in OPT Program
The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which provides international students the opportunity to gain work experience post-graduation, also saw a record high with a 22% increase, totaling 242,782 participants.
STEM Fields Popularity
International students continue to show a preference for STEM fields, with 56% choosing these disciplines, particularly in engineering, which attracted 19% of international students.
U.S. Students Studying Abroad
Furthermore, the number of U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit rose significantly, reaching 280,716 in the 2022-2023 academic year—a 49% increase from the previous year.
Significance of International Education
The growth in international student enrollment and their contributions to the U.S. economy underscores the ongoing importance of global education partnerships and the value of international experiences within higher education.
Source: Forbes