With an all-time high of 1,126,690 international students enrolled in the 2023–2024 academic year, the United States has once again cemented its status as a top global education destination. According to the 2024 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, this milestone represents a 7% rise over the previous year. India is now the top source of international students in the US, surpassing China for the first time since 2009. At 331,602 the number of Indian students rose by 23%, making up over 30% of all international students. With 277,398 students, China is still the second-largest sender, despite a 4% decrease.
In 2023–2024, international students supported 378,175 jobs and contributed $43.8 billion to the US economy. This astounding economic benefit highlights how important international students are for encouraging global understanding, advancing innovation, and fostering cultural interchange.
The top-sending countries after India and China are:
1. South Korea (43,149 students)
2. Canada (28,998 students)
3. Taiwan (23,157 students)
4. Japan (17,041 students)
5. Vietnam (16,165 students)
6. Brazil (14,696 students)
For the 2024–2025 academic year, overseas enrollment increased by 3%, according to a snapshot survey of almost 700 US universities. This increase shows that people are still interested in US education because of things like academic quality, research possibilities, and cultural diversity.
“Students are voting with their feet… The US remains a preeminent destination for global education,” said Allan Goodman, CEO of the Institute of International Education.” “The contributions made by international students to the United States are substantial,” stressed NAFSA Executive Director and CEO Fanta Aw. We cannot sit back and do nothing. In order to draw in and keep international talent, the US needs to implement more proactive measures.
The US remains a desirable destination for international education, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report. The United States must continue to maintain its competitive advantage by implementing proactive measures to draw in and keep international talent as the number of international students approaches all-time highs. International students have a significant impact on how the US and the globe develop because they stimulate innovation, promote global awareness, and foster cultural interchange.
