By Students from all over the world have chosen the United States of America as their top international study destination. The United States (US) hosted more than one million (1,057,188 to be precise) international students during the 2022-2023 academic year, a 12% increase over the previous academic year and showing the fastest rate of growth in over 40 years. The data is from the Open Doors 2023 Report on International Educational Exchange released recently. According to the US Department of Commerce, international students accounted for 6% of the total higher education population in the US and contributed nearly $38 billion to the US economy.
The number of international students who enrolled for the first time at a U.S. college or university during the 2022-2023 academic year increased by 14% year over year to 298,523, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and approaching record highs.
New international students continued to study in every state and territory of the United States, with 48 states reporting an increase in international students.
In 2022-23, international student enrollment increased across all academic levels for the first time since 2014-15. Graduate student enrollment increased the most, with 467,027 international students pursuing master’s, doctorate, or professional degrees (+21% year-over-year). Undergraduate student enrollment grew (+1% year-over-year) for the first time in five
years.
India reaches an all-time high in international student enrollment
The United States of America has earned the reputation of being the top destination for Indian students due to its extensive network of universities, varied cultures, and abundant academic opportunities. Renowned for their top-notch programs in technology and business, respectively, Harvard University and Stanford University draw Indian students who want to succeed in these fields.
India records an all-time high in the number of enrolled foreign students. With 289,526 students studying in the United States in 2022–2023 (a decrease of 0.2% from the previous year), China continued to be the top sending nation. India, the second-largest sending nation, saw a 35% year-over-year increase to an all-time high of 268,923 international students in 2022–2023.
Karan Lalit, Regional Director India, Study Group says, “As per the Open Doors Report, the United States continues to be a premier destination for Indian students seeking higher education abroad. This surge not only reflects the appeal of American education but also underscores the global trend of students seeking diverse academic experiences.”
For all places of origin, India continues to be the highest priority for undergraduate and graduate recruitment. Seventy percent of U.S. institutions are prioritizing undergraduate outreach and 80% of U.S. institutions are prioritizing graduate outreach for students in India.
