Nearly one million students from across the globe travel to the United States to pursue a college degree. They hope to gain knowledge, credentials, and expertise that they can use to further their careers, whether they choose to return home or stay in America after graduation. They look to U.S. colleges and universities because of the prestige and reputation these institutions often carry.
If you're an international student thinking about coming to the U.S. to pursue a bachelor's degree, there are several things you'll want to consider as you begin to make plans. For example, many U.S. universities will require you to prove English language proficiency during the admissions process. This article will discuss current trends in non-American student enrollment while also providing several helpful tips on pursuing academic success as a first-time student in the U.S.
Trends in international student enrollment
As we begin, let's gain a better understanding of the current landscape by taking a look at several emerging trends within international enrollment.
Recent growth in enrollment
Nearly five percent of all undergraduate students in the United States are international students. Total international enrollment dropped 15% in 2020-2021, likely because of the pandemic.
However, numbers began to rise again in the months after, climbing 9% during the 2021-2022 academic year and growing by 4% during the fall of 2022. The drop in the previous year isn't overly alarming, as many higher education institutions saw their international student population decline in the year after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Comparison with other countries
The United States is the world leader in hosting international students, with almost one million students from across the globe. The United Kingdom came in second place with around 630,000 international students. Canada also boasts more than half a million international students, bringing the total of international students in North America to well over one million.
France (364,756) and Australia (363,859) round out the top five, and Russia and Germany each sent more than 300,000 international students in 2022. Other countries with a large number of international students are China (221,653), Japan (201,877), and Italy (125,470). As you can see, students from around the world choose to attend U.S. institutions in hopes of finding open doors in the future, whether in the United States or back in their home country.
Regional analysis
Many international students choose to continue their education in California, which is not surprising given California's coastal location and large number of prestigious universities. More than 134,000 international students attended school in California in 2022. New York (113,666) was the only other U.S. state with more than 100,000 international students. Massachusetts welcomed over 71,000 students, and Texas hosted around 70,000 as well. Other high-ranking states include Illinois (46,599), Pennsylvania (44,370), and Florida (39,622).
Impacts on U.S. colleges and universities
International students bring a significant positive impact to the colleges and universities they attend. For starters, they contribute tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy. In addition, they further important scientific and technical research and offer unique international perspectives in the classroom and in their respective fields.
While there are minimal scholarships and financial aid opportunities available for international students, it's still possible for them to find help. In some cases, students may qualify for aid from the U.S. government. Other times, students can earn scholarships for scoring highly on standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. These tests may also be required when applying to certain schools.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is also an excellent resource. Since its establishment in 1919, the Institute of International Education has been working hard to create opportunities for students and scholars in countries across the world.
International students pursue many different majors. Popular choices include math, computer science, engineering, and business management. These fields of study tend to lead to exciting prospects, such as internship opportunities and high-paying jobs. In addition, computer science careers are less likely to be impacted by shifts or changes in the economy, and related positions are expected to be in high demand.
Many prestigious U.S. universities boast a large population of international students. Prestigious schools like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Carnegie Mellon University, Rice University, and Columbia University all appear on the list of the top ten U.S. schools with the most international students.
International student demographics
The majority of international students come to the United States from Asian countries like China and India. The U.S. hosts nearly 300,000 Chinese students each year, along with almost 200,000 Indian students. Another 226,000 international students come from other Asian countries like North and South Korea (40,800), Taiwan (20,500), and Vietnam (20,700).
In addition, around 100,000 students from elsewhere in the Americas will attend school in the US. For example, nearly 15,000 students each from Brazil and Mexico relocated to the United States for their college studies. Europe sends another 72,600, and Africa is responsible for around 50,000.
These students tend to gravitate toward certain states and regions in the United States. Many students attend school in Northeastern states like New York or Massachusetts, and southern states like Texas and Florida are popular choices as well. California, as mentioned above, attracts a high number of international students as well.
Government policies and regulations
The EducationUSA network exists to partner with U.S. higher education institutions. It provides guidance to U.S. universities that hope to attract international students. They also supply potential students with a wide range of information to help them make decisions about where they may choose to attend school. This includes details about US-sponsored exchange programs for both students and faculty.
Students should also be aware of the requirements for student visas since they will need this documentation in order to study in the United States. For most public and private academic institutions, the Category F visa will be sufficient. If you're considering a vocational program or a non-recognized academic institution, the Category M visa is the one you need. Both visas require you to apply to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school and register for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Keep in mind that as an F-1 student, you'll have a different set of visa requirements than someone applying for a traditional work visa. Before you get too far into the application process, it's wise to study up on current immigration policies for non-U.S. students.
Looking ahead
Numbers have trended downward in the last few years in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, but recent trends show that they may be on the way back up.
In addition, while China has traditionally brought over the highest number of foreign students, this may not be the case going forward. Overall, the number of sending markets is becoming more diversified, and India is coming closer to surpassing China for the total number of international students represented in the US. Although only a few of the top sending countries are showing recent growth, the fact that more students are coming from a wider variety of countries suggests a positive future for the presence of international students in the US.
If U.S. schools want to continue attracting international students, they will have to actively engage in and promote efforts that encourage diversity and inclusion. They should also look for opportunities to raise global awareness about their programs to attract attention from new students. Informational webinars can be a great way to connect with prospective applicants in addition to other outreach initiatives such as hosting international socials or sending study abroad groups.
Use College Rover as your guide for American education
The presence of international undergraduate and graduate students in America benefits both the students and the universities they attend. To continue encouraging these types of relationships, universities should do their part to build connections with foreign students and make sure they have a positive experience during their time in school.
Meanwhile, students from around the world who are interested in attending school in the U.S. should do their part to learn what's required for admission into the country and the school of their choice.
Head over to College Rover if you want to learn more about all the best colleges and universities in the United States. Our robust online database includes a wealth of information about schools, degree programs, and so much more. You can even create an online account to save your top options and compare them alongside each other.
We're dedicated to making the search for higher education a little more awesome. Whether you're a new international student from Spain, Singapore, Nigeria, or somewhere else, we'd love to play a role in your journey.
