The number of overseas students attending American universities has increased, reaching a record 1.58 million in 2024. Students from more than 229 nations and territories contributed to this growth, which is a 5.3% increase from 2023. Indian students, who account for about 25% of all international students in the US, are leading this global upsurge. India has become one of the biggest providers of international students in the United States, with 422,335 students enrolled, an 11.8% increase over 2023.
With 1,134,953 students enrolled in US universities, Asian students make up 71.7% of all international students. China has 329,541 students enrolled, which is little less than India’s total of 2023, but still ranks second in terms of enrollment.
Top Destinations for Foreign Students
– California: With 237,763 foreign students, California is the top destination for international students in the US.
– New York: New York schools enrolled the second-largest number of foreign students, with 172,522 students.
Academic Pursuits
Higher Education: Approximately 91% of international students are enrolled in associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs that have earned SEVP certification.
– Degree Pursuits: 1,434,748 degrees were sought by international students, up about 82,000 from 2023.
Popular Degrees: 79% of higher education degrees sought are bachelor’s and master’s degrees, making them the most sought-after degrees.
Work Authorization
– Practical Training: 381,140 foreign students had work authorization through practical training programs.
– Top Employers: Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are the top three employers for foreign students participating in STEM OPT.
The number of SEVP-certified schools that could accept international students fell from 7,683 in 2023 to 7,234 in 2024. The data emphasizes the trend of rising international student enrollment in US colleges and was made public by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) annual report published by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The US remains a popular choice for students from all over the world because of its diversified student body and top-notch academic programs.
