The US welcomes more than 1.1 million international students, China is no longer the leader

India has surpassed China to top the list of countries with the largest number of international students in the US with a record 331,602 students in the 2023-2024 academic year.

According to the Open Doors report from the Institute of International Education (IIE), the total number of international students at US colleges and universities has reached an all-time high, with more than 1,126,690 international students in the 2023-2024 academic year, an increase of 7% over the previous academic year.

The US was the choice of more than 1.1 million international students last year, the majority of whom were Asian students. (Source: Unsplash)

Top destination for global education

International students make up 6% of all college students in the US and will contribute more than $50 billion to the US economy by 2023, according to the US Department of Commerce.

The IIE report shows that more than half a million international students (502,291) enrolled in graduate school in the U.S. in 2023-24, an 8% increase and an all-time high. In addition, the number of international students staying in the U.S. to gain practical work experience through the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program reached a record high of 242,782 students, up 22% from the previous year. The number of international undergraduate students (342,875) remained stable, down slightly (1%) from 2022-23.

The number of new international students enrolling at a U.S. college or university for the first time remains strong, with 298,705 new international students in 2023-24, equal to last year’s total (0.1%) and pre-Covid-19 levels.

With nearly 4,000 educational institutions, the United States is well-equipped to welcome even more international students in the coming years. “The American educational experience shapes not only the lives of individuals, but also the future of our interconnected world,” said Scott Weinhold, senior official in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

“The relationships formed between American and international students today are the foundation for future business and trade, science and innovation, and government relationships,” said Scott Weinhold.

“International students enrich campuses, foster cultural exchange and contribute significantly to our country’s economy,” said IIE CEO Allan Goodman, adding, “We remain dedicated to supporting these bright minds, ensuring that the United States continues to be a top destination for global education.”

Strong "coverage" of Indian students

Notably, for the first time since 2009, the number of Indian students in the US has surpassed that of China. Specifically, in the 2023-2024 academic year, there will be 331,602 Indian students studying in the US, up 23% over the previous year. The increase in Indian enrollment is mainly at the graduate level (196,567 students, up 19%) and the OPT level (97,556 students, up 41%).

The number of Indian students studying in the US increased by 23% compared to the previous year. (Source: US Embassy in New Delhi)

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti once shared with Indian students: “Your decision to study abroad and choose the US is a valuable investment for you and your family. You are bringing our two countries closer together and leading us to a bright future.

Appreciating the “strength of the Indian education system, which prepares students to compete globally”, the US diplomat expressed his “desire to see India continue to lead” and “balance these record numbers. We want to see equal numbers of women studying in the US and see more American students come to experience all that India has to offer”.

To assist Indian students in finding suitable study opportunities, the U.S. Department of State offers free advising services to prospective students, both online and in person, at six EducationUSA advising centers across India, including New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, and two centers in Hyderabad. All six centers are staffed with EducationUSA advisors who provide accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date information about study opportunities in the United States.

China ranked second, despite a 4% drop to 277,398 students, the Open Doors report found. It remained the largest source of undergraduate and non-degree students, with 87,551 and 5,517 students, respectively. Chinese students pursuing OPT increased by 12% to 61,552.

Indian and Chinese students account for more than half of all international students in the United States.

Experts say the decline in Chinese student numbers is due to a hostile political climate, US security concerns and growing opportunities in China.

Students from India and China account for 54% of international students in the US. (Source: IIE)

The trend continues to increase.

Many other countries sending students to the US have seen strong growth, with eight of the top 25 countries reaching all-time highs: Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, India, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain. The total number of students from Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase by 13% in 2023-24, the highest growth rate of any region in the world for the second consecutive year, building on an 18% increase in 2022-23.

The number of Vietnamese students at US colleges and universities continues to increase, reaching 22,066 students in the 2023-2024 academic year, accounting for 2% of the total number of international students here. Vietnam is the leading ASEAN country in the number of international students studying in the US, of which nearly 50% are studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Geographically, the number of international students increased in 44 states, with California, New York, and Texas hosting the most international students. Of the 10 states with the most international students, the three Midwest states with the largest growth were Missouri (35%), Michigan (14%), and Illinois (13%).

New York University will admit 27,247 international students in 2023-2024, the highest number among US educational institutions. (Source: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the report also found that the number of American students studying abroad is increasing and the destinations are becoming more diverse. In the 2022-2023 academic year, 280,716 American students studied abroad for academic credit, up 49% from the previous year and signaling further growth after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain and France remain the top destinations, with about 45% of all US students studying there.

Study destinations are showing signs of diversification, with Australia and New Zealand returning to the top 25 destinations for US students. Seven destinations have reached all-time highs for international students through 2022-23: Denmark, Greece, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Switzerland.

Commenting on the growth trend of US education this year, Ms. Mirka Martel, Head of Research, Evaluation and Learning at IIE, said that many factors contributed to the change in the number of international students and showed that the number of international students, especially in emerging market economies, will continue to increase. India, Bangladesh, Nigeria... have expanding college-age populations and "more and more students from these countries are coming to the US to study".

It is important to note that US institutions understand the importance of international students to their institutions. According to the report, 85% of institutions spent the same or more financial resources on recruiting “outside” students than the previous year. Mirka Martel “anticipates the increase in international student numbers to continue in the 2024/25 academic year.”

For 75 years, Open Doors has been the most comprehensive source of information on international students and scholars in the United States, as well as American students studying abroad for academic credit. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

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