International Student Numbers in U.S. Show Fastest Growth in 40 Years
The U.S. is still the top destination for students looking to study abroad. During the 2022-2023 academic year, over a million international students attended American colleges, according to the latest Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange.
This marks a nearly 12% increase from the previous year—the fastest growth rate in more than four decades.
New international student enrollment jumped by 14% in 2022-2023, building on an 80% surge the year before, as reported in the 2023 study by the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“Students worldwide continue to see the U.S. as a leader in higher education, whether at two-year community colleges, four-year universities, or beyond,” says Lee Satterfield, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“With close to 4,000 accredited institutions across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., there’s plenty of room to grow international enrollment. The U.S. government and American universities are ready to welcome them,” Satterfield adds. “There’s something for everyone—whether learning a trade or earning a tech degree.”
Mirka Martel, IIE’s head of research, evaluation, and learning, notes that new international student enrollments hit 298,523—surpassing pre-pandemic levels (268,000 in 2019-2020) and nearing the record high of 300,743 set in 2015-2016.
“We’ve seen a rebound in international students after COVID-19, but positive trends are also driven by ongoing outreach and recruitment efforts by U.S. schools,” Martel says.
For the first time since 2014-2015, enrollment grew across all degree levels and fields, though the biggest spike (21%) was in graduate programs.
Record Number of Students From India
International students continue to pour into U.S. colleges, with 48 states reporting increases. Indian student numbers rose by 35% in 2022-2023, reaching 268,923.
Adarsh Khandelwal, a college counselor based in New Delhi, credits U.S. universities for making international students feel welcome. “Their quick responses, workshops, and strong presence in India keep the U.S. as the top choice,” he wrote in an email.
Karan Gupta, founder of an education consultancy in Mumbai, says the U.S. attracts Indian students with its elite universities and research opportunities—especially in engineering, computer science, and business. “The U.S. job market, particularly in tech and business, is a huge draw,” he added via email.
Around 166,000 Indian students are pursuing master’s or advanced degrees in the U.S., mainly in California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, and Illinois. India is now the second-largest sender of students to the U.S., after China.
“In the next three years, I expect we’ll surpass China and potentially double current numbers due to rising demand,” Khandelwal says.
Indian students also make up a large portion of the 198,793 enrolled in Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows them to gain work experience after graduation.
“A U.S. degree opens doors to global careers—a major incentive,” Gupta says. He explains that graduates can stay for one year on OPT (or three years with STEM OPT) without needing an H-1B visa—a temporary work permit sponsored by employers.
Growth Among Students From Sub-Saharan Africa
Ghana sent over 6,000 students to the U.S. in 2022-23, joining the top 25 countries for international enrollment.
“Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest growth rate at 18%,” Martel says. “This is the first time in over a decade that two African countries are in the top 25, and Ghana’s debut on the list.”
Other African nations with notable enrollment increases include:
- Nigeria: 17,640 students
- Ghana: 6,468 students
- Kenya: 4,059 students
- Ethiopia: 3,006 students
- South Africa: 2,713 students
“Many U.S. schools are actively recruiting in the region,” Martel adds. “For example, 40% of institutions focus on graduate recruitment in Nigeria, and 75% expect more Nigerian students in 2023-2024.”
The State Department issued over 40,000 student visas to Africans in 2023—the most in a decade. “We’re connecting U.S. universities with African educators and students, including HBCUs, community colleges, and specialized grad programs,” Satterfield says.
Post-Pandemic Recovery
COVID-19 disrupted international education in early 2020, causing U.S. enrollment to drop from 1,075,000 (2019-2020) to 914,000 the next year.
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“The U.S. remains the top host for international students, nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels,” Martel says.
In 2022-2023, 95% of international students attended classes in person, showing a strong preference for on-campus study.
“Some regions, like China, still faced COVID-related travel restrictions. We expect further rebounds as these ease,” Martel notes.
Looking Ahead
The most popular fields for international students in 2022-2023 were:
- Math & Computer Science
- Engineering
- Business & Management
- Social Sciences
- Physical & Life Sciences
Experts predict continued interest in U.S. education. A survey of 630 schools shows an 8% rise in international enrollment for 2023-2024.
“We’re reaching students globally through 430+ EducationUSA centers, fairs, alumni talks, and university outreach,” Satterfield says.
