International Students in the United States
The United States has historically been the top destination for international students owing to its quality higher education system, welcoming culture, and relatively open labor market. Today, the United States remains the country of choice for the largest number of international students, hosting about 1.1 million of the 4.6 million enrolled worldwide in 2017. The next two destinations, the United Kingdom and China, hosted 11 percent and 10 percent, respectively. However, the U.S. share of globally mobile students dropped from 28 percent in 2001 to 24 percent in 2017, while the overall number of international students more than doubled in the same period.
Using data from the Institute of International Education (IIE) and NAFSA: Association of International Educators, this Spotlight examines the population of international students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in SY 2016–17, focusing on its size, geographic distribution, top institutions, countries of origin, levels and fields of study, economic impact, and transition into the U.S. labor market. Data on international students in the United States include currently enrolled students as well as graduates who remain on a student visa for Optional Practical Training (OPT), a period lasting from 12 to 36 months depending on the student’s field of study.
Zong, J. & Batalova, J. (2018). International Students in the United States. Migration Information Source. Washington, DC: Migration Policy Institute. Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/international-students-united-states-2017